Formation of a government in Austria: grand coalition before the change?

Formation of a government in Austria: grand coalition before the change?

Austria is facing crucial political negotiations after talks between the FPÖ and ÖVP failed. Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen immediately initiated talks with the party leaders of the ÖVP, SPÖ, Neos and the Greens in order to promote the formation of a new government. According to the “Tiroler Tageszeitung”, there could be a crucial meeting with Van der Bellen as early as Thursday, at which ÖVP leader Christian Stocker could be officially tasked with forming a government. Negotiating partners such as NEOS and the Greens appear as potential partners for a quick decision on the double budget, since the ÖVP and SPÖ have a narrow but decisive majority in the National Council.

Current situation of the negotiations

After the failed alliance between the FPÖ and ÖVP, FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl has given up his mandate to form a government, which is causing political waves to flare up again. During the talks in the Hofburg, Kogler demanded that the focus should be on cooperation between “constructive forces”. Stocker emphasized that he was ready to negotiate with any potential negotiating partner who approached him. SPÖ leader Andreas Babler also expressed the desire to find a stable solution and campaigned against new elections. He sees the possibilities of parliamentary cooperation or the formation of a coalition with the ÖVP, Neos and the Greens as realistic.

The current political situation is classified as critical. Green Party leader Werner Kogler made it clear that they would not agree to a “wrong budget” and that climate policy must have a high priority. Although there are currently informal discussions about cooperation, concrete negotiations have not yet been discussed. Van der Bellen did not comment during the talks on forming a government, which, however, underlines the urgency of the situation, as the pressure on political actors is increasing to form a government capable of acting as quickly as possible, as “Die Presse” reported.