Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond announced Friday he is stepping down, just hours after his nation voted "no" to seceding from the United Kingdom in a highly anticipated and historic referendum, the BBC reported.
Scotland voted Thursday to remain a part of the United Kingdom, which includes England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The referendum results were close, with 55 percent of voters saying "no" to independence and 45 voting "yes."
Right on the heels of the referendum, Salmond said he is standing down as Scotland's first minister as well as the leader of the Scottish National Party.
"For me as leader my time is nearly over, but for Scotland the campaign continues and the dream shall never die," Salmond said at a press conference at Bute House in Edinburgh, the BBC reported.
Salmond, the SNP leader for the last 20 years, is expected to officially leave office in November. Reports indicate that SNP Deputy Leader Nicola Sturgeon will most likely take his place, however Salmond said there were a "number of eminently qualified and very suitable candidates for leader," according to the BBC.
Officials said about 84 percent of Scotland's electorate of 4.2 million turned up to vote, CNN reported. The exact vote in favor of independence was 1.6 million, while the vote against was just over 2 million.
Scotland's independence fever spread around the world, with regions like Catalonia in Spain holding rallies demanding a referendum on independence. However, Spanish officials have vowed to never allow such a vote.
Meanwhile, in England, British Prime Minister David Cameron breathed a sigh of relief as Scots chose to maintain the status quo.
"Like millions of other people, I am delighted," Cameron said according to CNN.
Scotland has been under British rule for more than 300 years but has seen a significant increase in self-rule over the past decade. Though the referendum failed, the high demand for independence has led government officials in England to promise to devolve more powers to the Scottish Parliament.
Measures to increase powers on social welfare, taxes and spending are expected to be introduced Friday, CNN reported.
But Salmond expressed doubts at his Friday conference over whether or not Cameron will keep his word.
