In general terms, a no-confidence vote is a formal expression from a decision-making body on whether officers or leaders are fit to continue in office.
The Scottish Parliament defines it as a motion that says some MSPs do not have confidence in a government minister, the first minister, or all Scottish ministers.
So in this case, it is motion that will declare the SNP government unfit to stay in power.
All Scottish ministers would be compelled to stand down if it is voted through, with parliament given 28 days to appoint a new first minister. If it fails to do so, a snap election would be called.
While Labour, the Tories and the Liberal Democrats are likely to back the motion, scheduled for about 15:00 on Wednesday, it would likely need the support of seven Green MSPs to pass.
But Scottish Greens business manager Gillian Mackay urged Mr Sarwar to withdraw the proposed vote.
“Like the withdrawn Tory motion, the Labour one has clearly been overtaken by events,” she said.
“Pursuing it would achieve nothing, and would simply mean more parliamentary game playing.”
