Minority government is opportunity to develop creative solutions to challenges
Responding to parliament's election of Nicola Sturgeon as First Minister, Patrick Harvie MSP, Co-convener of the Scottish Greens, urged the SNP leader to live up to her intention to seek an inclusive government that reaches out to other parties.
Mr Harvie, who now leads a six-strong group of Green MSPs, making them the fourth largest party in the parliament, said:
"I congratulate Nicola Sturgeon on her election as First Minister and the Green group of MSPs looks forward to engaging with her government in the months and years ahead. The SNP losing its majority opens up an opportunity for Holyrood to develop creative, collaborative solutions to the challenges in our economy and our society.
"And it's not just an opportunity for opposition parties; it's a chance for the SNP's own membership to exert some influence and try to get the government they really want. On so many issues, the SNP leadership has proved overly-cautious, ranging from tax and fracking to housing and land reform. And on the need for preventative spending on health and greater support for teachers rather than tests, it's clear that the SNP need constructive challenge from a progressive force, and the Green group of MSPs is ready to be that force."