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?

The negotiations about a possible three-party 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 at just 30 percent, which puts the sword of Damocles hanging over the talks. Despite advanced work on issues in many negotiating groups, however, things are stalling in crucial areas such as the economy, budget and inflation. The day of truth is scheduled to come on January 6, 2025, and whether an actual coalition will be formed remains questionable. ÖVP leader Karl Nehammer and SPÖ leader Andreas Babler are facing increasing resistance to the coalition plans in their parties, so the mood is not exactly rosy, as oe24 also reported.

The roles of the negotiators

The talks were expanded on Wednesday to include the Neos in order to achieve a broader majority in the National Council, as both the SPÖ and ÖVP only have one mandate surplus. The leader in the ÖVP negotiations is Karl Nehammer, who recently made a stable impression despite mediocre election results. He is supported by Constitutional Minister Karoline Edtstadler, who, however, does not have 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 is also facing a big test, while his negotiating partners such as Wolfgang Katzian, the ÖGB president, have extensive experience.

The Neos, led by Beate Meinl-Reisinger, are an intact group that is largely breaking new ground. The deputies Claudia Gamon and Christoph Wiederkehr will also play important roles and already bring some experience that could be valuable for the negotiations. The situation is tense and time is of the essence, because Austria's political landscape urgently needs clear solutions and a government capable of acting, while the fate of these coalition negotiations remains uncertain, as Die Presse also notes.