ALEX Salmond's first act on being re-appointed as First Minister was to up the ante with Westminster, demanding three additional measures to strengthen the Scotland Bill currently progressing there.

In addition to existing targets for borrowing powers, devolution of the Crown Estate and control over Corporation Tax, he added three fresh demands – control over alcohol taxation so that the Scottish purse can benefit from minimum pricing, devolution of broadcasting to allow the creation of a Scottish digital network, and a guarantee of better representation in dealing with Europe.

Aides insisted these were "very capable of amendment" to the Scotland Bill and represented a step forward short of full independence, in line with the current approach of making that goal less frightening for voters come the referendum.

Having just been returned as First Minister unopposed – the vote was 68 in favour with opposition MSPs abstaining – and responded to speeches of congratulation by opponents, Mr Salmond launched into his main pitch.

The three initial demands had been selected because they commanded support from some of the other parties. "There are three more constitutional changes we might agree on," he said. "Why not give us control of our own excise duty. We have a mandate to implement a minimum price for alcohol. We intend to pursue that in this Parliament come what may."

With control over taxation the windfall from minimum pricing could go towards public services, he argued. With "some influence" over the currently reserved issue of broadcasting the Scottish Government could create a Scottish digital channel, backed by all parties at Holyrood three years ago.

"These are exciting times for our country. We need more space for our cultural riches and for lively and intelligent discourse about the nation we are and the nation we aspire to be," he said.

Turning to his third demand, he said Scotland needed more influence in the EU and its Council of Ministers. "At the moment that is in the gift of Westminster. Sometimes it is forthcoming, more often it is withheld.

"We in the SNP argue for full sovereignty – it will give us an equal, independent voice in the EU. However, short of that, the Scotland Bill could be changed to improve our position."

He said this was argued for by Liberal Democrats during the passage of the first Scotland Act but was beaten. Now was the time to revisit the issue of a guaranteed voice within UK delegations.

He urged opponents: "I have outlined six areas of potential common ground where there is agreement across the Parliament to a greater or lesser extent: borrowing powers, corporation tax, the Crown Estate, excise duties, digital broadcasting and a stronger say in European policy.

"I think we should seize the moment and act together to bring these powers back home. Let this Parliament move forward as one to make Scotland better."

After new Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick announced the result the other party leaders crossed the floor to shake Mr Salmond's hand before congratulating him publicly, Labour's Iain Gray in a gracious speech acknowledging the scale of the SNP victory.

He reminded the First Minister of a jibe he had made on a similar occasion about Donald Dewar's eating habits – Mr Salmond conceded this had not been one of his wisest contributions – before adding: "We will debate what divides us, but let us begin with something that unites us. Scotland needs an action plan for jobs and economic recovery, and we need it quickly. That would be a good start in taking Scotland from here together."

Tory leader Annabel Goldie praised his achievement but made the most overtly political speech, saying: "He may have a majority of seats in this Parliament, but he does not have a majority of votes in Scotland. He may want separation, most people in Scotland do not."

Groans met new LibDem leader Willie Rennie's catchphrase about halting the "SNP bulldozer" but he said real opposition would come not from numbers but from the quality of debate. Patrick Harvie of the Green praised the way the SNP campaign had accentuated the positive, adding: "Opposition will need to be a positive, constructive process, a source of new ideas that add to our political debate, not detract from it."

Margo MacDonald added her tribute, to which the First Minister responded by saying her own achievement in being elected three times as an independent was also remarkable.