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SNP could go it alone at Holyrood SNP power share talks 'positive'
(about 7 hours later)
SNP leader Alex Salmond has hinted his party could form a minority government in the Scottish Parliament. The SNP looks increasingly likely to make an attempt to form the first minority Scottish government.
The Scottish Liberal Democrats have turned down the prospect of a Holyrood coalition with the Nationalists. They have been holding power-sharing talks with the Greens, but a coalition would only give them 49 MSPs, short of the 65 needed for a Holyrood majority.
Mr Salmond, whose party is the largest in parliament by a single seat, said he still wanted to go forward on the basis of seeking to strike a coalition deal. The anti-independence Scottish Liberal Democrats have turned down the prospect of an SNP power-sharing agreement.
But he said it would not be an entirely bad thing if the SNP had to work by building consensus with other parties. The Nationalists emerged as the largest party in the Scottish election with 47 MSPs, beating Scottish Labour by one.
Talks between the SNP and the Scottish Green Party, which has two MSPs, have been on-going, although there are still several issues to be resolved.
The Greens may back the Nationalists over a "confidence and supply system", where they would back SNP leader Alex Salmond to be first minister and his party's budget while dealing with other issues on a case-by-case basis.
We will need further discussions on transport and other aspects of our policy differences Robin HarperGreen co-leader
Speaking after the discussions broke up for the day, Mr Salmond said: "There is still a bit of taking to be done. There aren't any sticking points, we're just looking at the range of ways the parties can co-operate in Scotland's interests."
Green co-leader Robin Harper said he would have to refer back to his party's council.
"We will need further discussions on transport and other aspects of our policy differences before we come to a conclusion," he said.
"We are working very positively towards that at the moment."
Mr Salmond earlier hinted his party could form a minority administration, through seeking to build consensus with other parliamentary parties.
But he said he still wanted to go forward on the basis of seeking to strike a coalition deal.
A first minister has to be appointed within 28 days of the election
Scottish Lib Dem leader Nicol Stephen said the fundamental stumbling block to a power-sharing deal was the Nationalists' demand for a referendum on independence.Scottish Lib Dem leader Nicol Stephen said the fundamental stumbling block to a power-sharing deal was the Nationalists' demand for a referendum on independence.
Mr Stephen has now predicted there would be an SNP minority government at Holyrood following Thursday's election. The election for the 129 member Scottish Parliament also gave the Scottish Conservatives 17 seats, the Lib Dems 16 and saw the re-election of Independent Margo MacDonald.
It seems likely there will be a minority SNP government Nicol StephenScottish Liberal Democrat leader Speaking on the BBC's Today programme, Mr Salmond said: "I've already stated that my preference in this situation is to have and build a coalition. There are certain advantages in that.
Earlier, the Lib Dems ruled out a coalition deal with Scottish Labour - their previous government partners.
The 47 seats won by the SNP made them the largest party in the 129-member Scottish Parliament, but this falls short of a majority, for which at least 65 seats are needed.
Labour won 46 seats, the Scots Conservatives 17 and the Lib Dems 16.
The Scottish Greens returned two MSPs, who may do a deal with the SNP, and independent Margo MacDonald was re-elected.
Speaking on the BBC's Today programme, Mr Salmond said a minority government in a proportional representation system would have to look for consensus and areas in which there was agreement between parliamentary parties.
"You wouldn't be able to ram things through as the government does at Westminster," he said.
Mr Salmond added: "I've already stated that my preference in this situation is to have and build a coalition. There are certain advantages in that.
"But would it be an entirely bad thing if a government had to concentrate on areas where it could build a consensus in a parliament?"But would it be an entirely bad thing if a government had to concentrate on areas where it could build a consensus in a parliament?
"Not an entirely bad thing. It would be an unusual situation and, I suppose, quite an exciting situation.""Not an entirely bad thing. It would be an unusual situation and, I suppose, quite an exciting situation."
Mr Stephen says an independence referendum is the key issue Presiding officer
Mr Stephen said he had made it clear to Mr Salmond that unless and until the SNP removed the "fundamental barrier" of the referendum there would be no coalition.Mr Stephen said he had made it clear to Mr Salmond that unless and until the SNP removed the "fundamental barrier" of the referendum there would be no coalition.
"We consistently stated to people across Scotland at all times during the campaign that this was our position and it will not change," he stated."We consistently stated to people across Scotland at all times during the campaign that this was our position and it will not change," he stated.
"In these circumstances it seems likely there will be a minority SNP government." Meanwhile, Conservative MSP Alex Fergusson has ruled himself out of the contest to be the next presiding officer at Holyrood, following speculation that he might be nominated to replace George Reid.
It is thought the Tories feel one of the larger parties - particularly Labour - should fill the post, which is also being considered by Margo MacDonald.
More than 100,000 ballots were counted as spoiled in the election and in one seat - Cunninghame North - former Labour minister Allan Wilson is considering a legal challenge after losing by 48 votes.More than 100,000 ballots were counted as spoiled in the election and in one seat - Cunninghame North - former Labour minister Allan Wilson is considering a legal challenge after losing by 48 votes.
A lawyer is also preparing to contest the outcome of the Glasgow region.A lawyer is also preparing to contest the outcome of the Glasgow region.