NICOLA Sturgeon has renewed her vow to hold an independence referendum as she was re-elected as First Minister of Scotland by a majority of MSPs at Holyrood.

The SNP leader said she wants to lead the country “to brighter and better times” and said recovery from the coronavirus pandemic was her “driving priority”.

After her formal re-election by MSPs on Tuesday , Sturgeon argued there was a “clear mandate” for another Scottish independence referendum but promised to “exercise that mandate with responsibility, humility, and only when the crisis of Covid has passed”.

"By any measure of parliamentary democracy, there is a clear mandate for a referendum within this session of Parliament. It is important, in the interests of democracy, that that is acknowledged and respected," she said.

"However, it is also important that I exercise that mandate with responsibility and humility, and only when the crisis of Covid has passed. I give that commitment today."

She added: "I believe that being independent will give Scotland, now and in the future, the best chance of making the most of our vast talents and resources.

"There are so many ways in which that matters—and we were reminded of just one of them last week.

"Our economic prospects depend on us attracting more people to live and work in Scotland. Yet, on Thursday, in Kenmure Street in my constituency, immigration officials tried to forcibly remove two individuals against the wishes of their community. With independence, the decisions that shape our future will lie with us."

Sturgeon defeated Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross and Scottish LibDem leader Willie Rennie, who each put themselves forward as candidates. She won 64 votes, ahead of Ross on 31, four for Willie Rennie and 28 MSPs abstained.

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In her pitch to MSPs ahead of voting, Sturgeon said: “In government, I have sought over this past year to work across the chamber throughout the Covid crisis.

“If re-nominated today, I will continue to do so as we do implement a programme to kick-start recovery.

“That will be a programme with the NHS, the economy and jobs at its heart, and we will take an inclusive approach to the debate that all countries must have about how we can build the best possible post-pandemic future.”

Following her election, she said: “There is simply no greater privilege than to be elected as the First Minister of our country. I pledge that I will fulfil the duties placed on me to the very best of my ability.

“I will do all I can, with all of the powers vested in the office of First Minister, to make our country the best possible place to live, work, and grow up in.”

Addressing the issue of independence, Sturgeon said: I have always believed that how we achieve independence is as important as the outcome itself.

"It will determine the strength of the foundation on which we build. I am acutely aware that opinion on whether Scotland should be independent is evenly balanced.

"My decisions, as a First Minister for all of Scotland, will always be mindful of that—but that should apply to all of us. The views of those who do not support independence must not be ignored; you must not feel as if you are being bludgeoned towards an outcome that you have not been persuaded of.

"However, by the same token, the views of those who support independence cannot be ignored either. We cannot simply be told that there is no democratic route to seeking the future that we want for our country.

"That takes us to a fundamental point. Unity of purpose for any country is an important condition of success, but unity is not achieved by pretending that genuine differences of opinion do not exist or that one side of a debate has no right to be heard.

"Unity is best achieved through open, informed and respectful discussion and, crucially, by agreeing that, ultimately, the only legitimate way to resolve difference is through democratic means.

"Passions will always run high on the issue of independence, and for good reason. However, if on both sides of this great national debate we can strive for mutual understanding and empathy, and if we show a willingness sometimes to listen more than to talk and to respect the power of democracy, I believe that we can and will find the right path and that we will do so together and at the right time.

"I know that I will not always succeed, but I promise that I will do my best to lead in that spirit."

WATCH: Nicola Sturgeon takes jibe at Douglas Ross and Willie Rennie during FM election

After the votes were announced, Ross praised Sturgeon as “sincerely committed to the job” but urged her not to be “spend the next five years mired in the same stale debates and disagreements that consumed and held back the last parliament”.

Calling for her to lead a government whose focus was on recovery from the pandemic, he added: “If that is the task that the SNP Government applies itself to 100%, that it will find support from these benches.

“But if they deviate from that task, if they put political priorities ahead of Scotland’s interests, if they waste time in this chamber on old arguments instead of constructive delivery, then we will fight them every step of the way.”

Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, said: “Right now, we need a First Minister for everyone in Scotland, not a campaigner leading a movement for half the country but a First Minister who will lead a national recovery for everyone.”