German state parties ready for coalition talks to keep AfD from power

Coalition talks to form a new government in Germany's north-eastern state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern can now get under way after the Greens on Saturday joined the Social Democrats (SPD) and the Left Party in approving negotiations.

The Greens gave their unanimous backing at a party conference in the city Rostock, a day after the SPD and the Left Party approved the move.

The three parties will try to form a coalition following the September 20 state election, in which the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) was the clear winner but fell short of an outright majority.

The AfD secured 32 seats in the 71-member state parliament, while the SPD won 29 seats and the Greens and Left Party five each.

Together, the three potential coalition partners would hold 39 seats, giving them a majority of three seats - and blocking the AfD from taking power.

If the negotiations succeed, it would mark the first time the Greens have participated in a state government in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

Talks are scheduled to begin on Monday, according to incumbent state Premier Manuela Schwesig of the SPD.

Greens lead candidate Claudia Müller described the exploratory talks that have taken place over the past two weeks as intensive.

"Now the work begins," she said of the formal negotiations.

She said all three potential coalition partners shared a clear position on right-wing extremism, which she described as the greatest threat to democracy in the state.

"That is why there will be no cooperation with the AfD on our part," Müller said.