The SNP wants to hold another referendum next year on the future of Scotland in the United Kingdom. The Scottish government needs permission from London to do that.
Sturgeon can ask the British government to transfer the power to issue a referendum to the Scottish Parliament through a special law. The Edinburgh Parliament must first agree to this. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in September that he did not intend to allow a second referendum.
During the first referendum on Scottish independence in 2014, 55 percent voted to remain part of the United Kingdom.