AN SNP councillor has stepped down, triggering a by-election in his ward less than a week after the previous by-election.
Marco Biagi, the councillor for Edinburgh’s Fairmilehead/Colinton ward, has triggered a by-election after taking a position as a special adviser to the Scottish Government.
The ward only concluded the previous by-election in the ward last Thursday after Labour Councillor Scott Arthur stepped down from his position on the City of Edinburgh Council.
Arthur stepped down after becoming an MP in the recent general election and was replaced last week by Liberal Democrat councillor Louise Watson Spence.
Marco Biagi is now set to become First Minister John Swinney’s 16th special adviser, the highest number of special advisers employed by a single party Scottish Government in history.
Special advisers act as temporary civil servants who are allowed to offer political advice, often taking home pay checks ranging from £70,000 to £100,000.
Biagi was previously an MSP for Edinburgh Central – a role he served in between 2011 and 2016 before stepping down.
SNP group leader on Edinburgh Council, Simita Kumar, announced Biagi was quitting as a councillor, sparking a new by-election in the ward days after the last was held.
She said: “Councillor Marco Biagi has announced his resignation from the council to take up another position.
“While we are sad to lose his dedication and expertise, we are excited for his next chapter.
“He will be greatly missed by colleagues and constituents alike. More to follow.”
It’s unclear when the by-election to elect Biagi’s replacement will be held as of now, but it must occur within three months, before February 19, 2025.
The previous by-election had a turnout of 37.4% with the Lib Dem candidate Louise Watson Spence taking 2,683 first preference votes.
