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Coalition talks get green light Coalition talks get green light
(about 1 hour later)
The Scottish Green Party has agreed in principle to open talks with the SNP on the formation of a new government.The Scottish Green Party has agreed in principle to open talks with the SNP on the formation of a new government.
The Greens, who have two MSPs, said there was no barrier to co-operating with Alex Salmond's party and have not ruled out a formal coalition deal.The Greens, who have two MSPs, said there was no barrier to co-operating with Alex Salmond's party and have not ruled out a formal coalition deal.
The two parties would have a combined strength of 49 MSPs, which is well short of the 65 required to command a majority at Holyrood.The two parties would have a combined strength of 49 MSPs, which is well short of the 65 required to command a majority at Holyrood.
The Nationalists, with 47 MSPs, are the largest Holyrood party.The Nationalists, with 47 MSPs, are the largest Holyrood party.
Meanwhile, First Minister Jack McConnell told BBC Scotland he "stands ready" to step in if the SNP was unable to form a government in Scotland.
The Scottish Labour leader said Mr Salmond and the SNP had the right to make the first move in attempting to form an administration.
Alex Salmond has to show he is capable of and has the character to be the leader of a new government Jack McConnellScottish Labour Leader
If it failed, he said, Labour would then make its move.
The Greens and the SNP already agree on several policies - both support independence and are opposed to new nuclear power stations.
In separate statements, the two parties described their discussions as "positive and constructive".
"The results of the election place the SNP as the largest party, and they therefore have the right to attempt to form a stable government with a progressive agenda for Scotland," said the Green statement.
"There are therefore no obstacles to the Scottish Greens opening up formal negotiations with the SNP on political co-operation in due course, and discussing our other priorities for action on the environment and social justice."
The Nationalists, who won one more Holyrood seat in the election than Scottish Labour, said their aim was to establish a "progressive coalition".
Their statement added: "The SNP share with the Scottish Greens the right of the people to determine their constitutional future in a referendum."
Mr McConnell said Alex Salmond had to show he was capable
While an SNP, Liberal Democrat and Green coalition would have a single-seat majority, a Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green deal would fall one seat short of a majority.
Mr McConnell told BBC Radio Scotland's Sunday Live programme that the SNP had a responsibility to try and form a government.
"But it's far too early to tell, in this 28-day period in which we have the opportunity to form a new government in the Scottish Parliament, if they will succeed in doing that," he said.
"Therefore I'm happy first of all to continue in my formal duties behind the scenes as first minister, but I'm also happy to give them the space in which to do that."
Mr McConnell continued: "Alex Salmond has to show he is capable of and has the character to be the leader of a new government, if he is to form one.
"If he can't achieve that then the other parties in the parliament will need to consider what to do next."