Nehammer steps back: Government negotiations with SPÖ failed!

Nehammer steps back: Government negotiations with SPÖ failed!

Vienna, Austria - Karl Nehammer, the Chancellor and ÖVP boss, has announced his resignation due to failed coalition negotiations with the SPÖ. In a video that was spread through social media, Nehammer said that he would resign "in the next few days" and emphasized that he was an honor to serve the country. This is after the abrupt demolition of the talks to form a new government, which was announced on January 4, 2025. The ÖVP justified the decision with the fact that an agreement was not possible in essential points, such as vienna.at reported .

In addition, it was announced that negotiations on a government failed without the right FPÖ. After talks with the SPÖ, the ÖVP announced that it makes no sense to continue to negotiate because an agreement was not possible. This situation could lead Austria into a phase of new elections. Since mid -November, the ÖVP has had talks with the SPÖ and the NEOS about a possible coalition. The NEOS withdrew surprisingly on Friday and finally the negotiations were only continued between the ÖVP and SPÖ, which increased the difficulties, such as Tageschau.de reported .

Nehammer now sees itself under great pressure because the success of the coalition negotiations directly influenced its political future. With the recent election victory of the FPÖ in September, Nehammer decided not to coalize with the right -wing populists under Herbert Kickl, while parts of his party, in particular the economic wing, would prefer cooperation with the FPÖ. If there are actually new elections, the FPÖ could benefit from political turbulence and, according to surveys, increase its encouragement from 29 percent to up to 35 percent.