Government formation in Austria: Grand coalition before the turn?

Government formation in Austria: Grand coalition before the turn?

Austria faces decisive political negotiations after the talks between the FPÖ and ÖVP failed. Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen immediately initiated talks with the party leader of the ÖVP, SPÖ, NEOS and GREEN to promote new government formation. According to the "Tyrolean daily" there could be a decisive meeting with van der Bellen on Thursday, in which ÖVP boss Christian Stocker could officially be commissioned to form the government. Negotiating partners such as the NEOS and the Greens appear as a potential partner for a rapid resolution of the double budget, since the ÖVP and SPÖ have a brief but decisive majority in the National Council

Current situation of negotiations

After the failed alliance of FPÖ and ÖVP, FPÖ boss Herbert Kickl has covered his order to form a government, which has the political waves raised again. During the talks in the Hofburg, Kogler demanded that the cooperation of the "constructive forces" should be in the foreground. Stocker emphasized that he was ready to negotiate with every potential negotiating partner who is approaching him. SPÖ boss 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 ÖVP, Neos and Greens as realistic.

The current political situation is classified as critical. Green boss Werner Kogler made it clear that one would not agree to a "wrong budget" and that climate policy must be very important. There are currently informal discussions about cooperation, but specific negotiations have not yet been discussed. Van der Bellen did not comment on government formation, but this underlines the urgency of the situation, because the pressure on the political actors increases in order to form a government capable as quickly as possible, as the "the press" reported.