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Political restart in Austria: FPÖ and ÖVP are planning crucial talks!
Federal President Van der Bellen commissioned Kickl to form a government. Talks between the FPÖ and ÖVP are imminent.
Political restart in Austria: FPÖ and ÖVP are planning crucial talks!
On Monday, January 8, 2025, Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen gave the FPÖ party leader Herbert Kickl the task of forming a government. In an initial reaction, Kickl announced talks with Christian Stocker, the new chairman of the ÖVP. These developments follow the failure of the three-party coalition of ÖVP, SPÖ and NEOS and the resignation of Karl Nehammer. Stocker appeared open to Kickl's invitation and emphasized that talks will take place because Austria is in a serious political situation. He explained: “The political circumstances have changed,” and referred to the failed search for a majority with the SPÖ and NEOS.
Important topics of the negotiations
The upcoming talks between Kickl and Stocker will focus on key issues for the People's Party (ÖVP). Stocker named media freedom, the rule of law, and dealing with the Russian war of aggression as crucial “red lines.” The ÖVP leader supports greater sovereignty for Austria and wants the country to remain constructively integrated into the European Union. Kickl, however, called for “honest and professional” negotiations and warned that any tricks and sabotage could lead to immediate new elections. This puts additional pressure on both party leaders to find clear answers to the most pressing questions in Austrian politics, especially with regard to the challenges to Western democracies posed by terrorism, war and external influence.
Stocker had already stated at the beginning of the week that the ÖVP sees the protection of liberal, constitutional democracy as a priority. He also emphasized the importance of a diverse and independent media landscape and the fight against anti-Semitism. The time and place of the first meeting between the two party leaders is still unclear, but the ÖVP has classified the negotiations as “confidential”, which further increases the tension in the political landscape today.at reported. In addition, raised meinkreis.at emphasized that Kickl would like to “reach out a hand” to the ÖVP for the negotiations.