In the previous election, held the year prior following Nicola Sturgeon's resignation, Yousaf successfully defeated Kate Forbes and Ash Regan in a leadership election that caused turmoil for the party with disagreements over the party's independence strategy and the controversial[1][2] gender reform bill.

The Scottish Conservatives later called for a vote of no confidence in Yousaf, with all the main opposition parties, including the Greens, supporting the motion.

In April 2024, Yousaf faced a confidence challenge following his termination of the Bute House Agreement between the SNP and their co-operation partners the Scottish Greens.

This was following changes to landmark climate policy by Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero and Energy Màiri McAllan, after which a planned Greens vote on the continuation of the agreement was announced.

Following the end of the agreement Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater, co-leaders of the Greens announced they would support a no confidence motion in Yousaf alongside the other opposition parties, meaning this would likely pass.