Her party will lead the Scottish government for a fourth term but without the outright majority that would have strengthened its case for a referendum.
The scene is now set for a fierce confrontation with No 10.
Ms Sturgeon insisted Scotland must have the right to “decide our future when the Covid crisis has passed”.
A referendum was part of the manifesto of both the SNP and Greens, and although the SNP failed to win a majority outright, its 64 MSPs – up one on 2016 – will be supported by eight Greens.
Overall, the SNP won 64 seats, the Conservatives 31, Labour 22, the Scottish Greens eight and Liberal Democrats four.
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