Scottish First Minister John Swinney has predicted that the Scottish National Party (SNP) will secure a majority in the upcoming Holyrood election, telling BBC News that his party expects to win at least 65 seats.

The projection comes ahead of next month's Scottish Parliament election, where the SNP will seek to maintain control of the devolved government. A total of 65 seats would constitute a majority in the 129-seat Scottish Parliament.

Swinney's confidence reflects the party's assessment of its electoral prospects as campaigning intensifies across Scotland. The SNP has governed Scotland since 2007, first under Alex Salmond and then Nicola Sturgeon, before Swinney assumed leadership.

The Scottish Parliament election will determine the composition of the legislature for the next five-year term, with implications for Scotland's domestic policies and its relationship with the UK government in Westminster.