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Vienna government in upheaval: Which ministerial posts go to whom?
OE24 reports on the current coalition negotiations between the ÖVP, SPÖ and Neos in Austria, including departmental divisions and ministerial candidates.
Vienna government in upheaval: Which ministerial posts go to whom?
The political negotiations between the ÖVP and SPÖ to form a new coalition in Austria are reaching a critical point. After intensive discussions that lasted late into the night, the framework conditions for the distribution of departments have been determined. The SPÖ is expected to take over the finance and infrastructure ministries, an unusual combination that has not been in the hands of the Reds for decades. Alexander Wrabetz, former ORF boss, is being traded as a potential finance minister, as reported by oe24.
Coalition talks and vision for the future
The SPÖ chairman Andreas Babler will aim for the vice-chancellorship and responsibility for media and sport. The ÖVP under Chancellor Christian Stocker will continue to retain the security-related departments such as domestic and defense policy. Klaudia Tanner and Gerhard Karner could remain as ministers in these areas, as also reported by aktuell.at.
Another point of contention in the negotiations is the inclusion of NEOS in the government. This is particularly important in order to consolidate the narrow majority in parliament. Beate Meinl-Reisinger, the head of NEOS, could take over the office of Foreign Minister. Maintaining a stable government also requires the consent of the pink party, which will be decided by the NEOS general meeting on February 28th.
The ministerial positions for cooperation have almost been determined. Eva-Maria Holzleitner from the SPÖ is planned as women's minister, and the economics ministry could be in the hands of Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer from the ÖVP. Other candidates for central positions are Sven Hergovich for the Ministry of Infrastructure and Korinna Schumann for the areas of labor and social affairs. While the SPÖ is relying on female leadership in the ministry, the design of the justice and education departments for the NEOS remains up in the air, which also depends on the upcoming elections in Vienna.