Kickl before coalitional negotiations: Will he become a chancellor of Austria?

Kickl before coalitional negotiations: Will he become a chancellor of Austria?

Austria faces a political turn because the Freedom Party (FPÖ), under the right -wing boss Herbert Kickl, has the opportunity to form the next federal government. This was announced on Monday by Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen in the Vienna Hofburg. The conservative ÖVP, which had previously been negotiated with social democracy and the liberal Neos, is now looking at the FPÖ, which emerged as the strongest force after the elections in September 2024. ÖVP boss Christian Stocker has already signaled interest in discussions, and experts predict a 90 percent probability that a coalition will come about, since the ÖVP has few alternatives, such as op-online.de executed.

quick negotiations in the past

A look at history shows that government negotiations between the ÖVP and the FPÖ can often be completed quickly. Former ÖVP boss Wolfgang Schüssel led similar negotiations to success in no time in 1999/2000 and 2003. It seems that ÖVP boss Sebastian Kurz, who has often led the FPÖ into a coalition in the past, could reach an agreement without great circumstances. Historical comparisons indicate that there are both interest and urgency in order to get to a black and blue coalition as quickly as possible, reported Oe24.at .

But the coalition talks could not work without challenges. Political scientists have noted that despite past conflicts between the two parties, the financial and migration policy considerations make an agreement, while external issues such as the European cooperation of the FPÖ seem less important. It remains interesting to what extent the ÖVP of its own claims, such as the package of measures against hate on the net, will deviate to enable a coalition with the FPÖ. It remains to be seen whether old disputes between Kickl and the new ÖVP peaks will strengthen or the cooperation will be promoted.