SNP reaches agreement with Greens

It will see the Greens back Alex Salmond's nomination as First Minister next week. The agreement - which falls short of a coalition - follows five days of negotiations between the parties in the aftermath of the Nationalists' election victory last week.

Party leaders said they have committed to work together to bring in early legislation to reduce climate-change pollution each year, and to oppose the building of new nuclear power stations.

The agreement will see one of the two Green MSPs being nominated as convener on a Holyrood committee.

Mr Salmond said the agreement on co-operation between the parties will set the tone for the four years of the new Parliament.

"The Scottish Greens represent a substantial body of opinion in Scotland, regardless of MSP numbers. Their formula for co-operation across parties short of formal coalition is an excellent example of the consensus we are seeking to build in the Parliament, and sets a positive tone for the incoming Government."

He added: "If elected as First Minister, I look forward to working with the Scottish Green Party, and indeed other parties, to build a more successful Scotland by putting vital issues such as tackling climate change at the heart of our agenda to take Scotland forward."

Green co-leader Robin Harper said the deal laid the foundations for a "progressive new politics" for Scotland.

"These constructive discussions have identified many shared objectives, including blocking nuclear power, tackling climate change, and extending the powers of the Scottish Parliament," he said. "This is the beginning of a process, and we will work positively with the SNP administration on issues of broad agreement.

"There remain significant policy differences between the two parties, however, and on those issues the Greens will continue to promote our distinctive policies."