Coalition negotiations on the brink: Who will be the winner on January 6th?

Coalition negotiations on the brink: Who will be the winner on January 6th?

Palais Epstein, Wien, Österreich - Negotiations on a possible triple coalition between the ÖVP, SPÖ and the NEOS are on the brink. According to an insider report from OE24, the probability of success is estimated to be only 30 percent, which the Damocles sword hovers over the conversations. Despite advanced theme processing in many negotiating groups, however, it stalls in the crucial areas such as economy, budget and inflation. The day of the truth is to come on January 6, 2025, and whether there is an actual coalition formation remains questionable. ÖVP boss Karl Nehammer and SPÖ chairman Andreas Babler are facing increasing resistance to the coalition plans in their parties, so that the mood is not exactly rosy, as OE24 also reported.

The roles of the negotiators

The talks were expanded to include the NEOS on Wednesday to reach a wider majority in the National Council, since both SPÖ and ÖVP only have a mandate overhang. Karl Nehammer, who recently makes a stable impression despite moderate election results, is a leader in the ÖVP negotiations. He is supported by Constitutional Minister Karoline Edtstadler, who, however, does not maintain the closest relationship with him, as well as other experienced party members such as Christian Stocker and August Wöginger. On the SPÖ side, Andreas Babler brings the party's fresh face and also faces a big test, while his negotiating partners like Wolfgang Katzian, the ÖGB President, have extensive experience.

at the Neos, under the leadership of Beate Meinl-Reisinger, it is an intact group that largely enters new territory. The deputies Claudia Gamon and Christoph Return will also play important roles and already have some experience that could be valuable for the negotiations. The Situation is tense and time is urgent, because the political landscape of Austria urgently needs clear solutions and a government capable of acting, while the fate of this coalition negotiations remains uncertain, as the press also states.