Alexander Elliot Anderson Salmond, known as Alex Salmond, is the current First Minister of Scotland and leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP). He graduated from the University of St Andrews with degrees in economics and history. Salmond was first elected as a Member of Parliament in 1987 and later became the SNP leader in 1990. As First Minister since 2007, Salmond has faced some controversy over his support for a golf resort development and accusations of using his position to gain political support from business leaders.