THE SNP and Scottish Greens are close to a co-operation agreement, a source has said.
The parties have been locked in negotiations since May, after the SNP secured 64 seats at the Holyrood elections – just one seat short of an overall majority.
While both parties said there would not be a formal coalition, an agreement would see them work together on key issues, and could even see some Green MSPs appointed as ministers in the Scottish Government.
A source familiar with the negotiations told the Daily Record there had been “good progress” made and a deal was “95%” done. An announcement, the source claimed, could come as early as the end of this week.
It is unclear what the final deal may look like, but in May Nicola Sturgeon told MSPs: “As we embark on this process, we are setting no limits on our ambition.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon ‘optimistic’ on co-operation deal with Green Party
“So in that vein let me be clear that while this is not a guaranteed or pre-agreed outcome, it is not inconceivable that a cooperation agreement could lead in future to a Green minister or ministers being part of this Government.
“The key point for today is that we are both agreeing to come out of our comfort zones to find new ways of working for the common good.”
Patrick Harvie, the Scottish Greens co-leader, said the people of Scotland were looking for “grown up politics”, adding: “Green parties across Europe and in countries like New Zealand have in recent years rolled up their sleeves and worked with other parties to deliver a better future.
“But they have also shown that there is more than one way for government and opposition parties to work together, without losing the ability to challenge one another.
READ MORE: 155 Greens write to co-leaders with concerns over SNP's record on trans issues
“We believe the people of Scotland want to see grown-up politics like this, and will approach the forthcoming talks in this spirit.”
The key area of agreement between the two sides before the negotiations was the constitution with both the Greens and the SNP in favour of Scottish independence. Both party manifestos support holding indyref2 in this parliament.
An agreement would help towards formalising the 72 pro-independence MSPs in Holyrood, seven more than the 65 needed for a majority.
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