Kickl in Hofburg: Negotiations on the brink - does the coalition come?

Kickl in Hofburg: Negotiations on the brink - does the coalition come?

Hofburg, Wien, Österreich - The coalition negotiations in Austria between the Freedom Party (FPÖ) and the ÖVP reach a critical point. FPÖ boss Herbert Kickl today visited the Hofburg to talk to Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen about the current status of the talks. Despite the pressure that is on the negotiations, Kickl was optimistic and contradicted reports that suggest a failed course of the talks. "If the negotiations had failed, then they would have heard something corresponding," said Kickl, like Exxpress.at reported.

In the past few weeks, tensions have been indicated between the parties, especially in relation to central issues such as EU and foreign policy. There are currently numerous open points that still have to be clarified before a final agreement can be reached. After the conversation, Kickl commented that "one hurdle after another" had to be overcome in order to advance. However, the course of the negotiations remains uncertain, since scenarios for a possible demolition are repeatedly played through, such as nau.ch reported.

urgency and political dynamics

After more than 130 days of negotiations since the parliamentary election in autumn 2024, the situation is increasingly being tense. While both the FPÖ and the ÖVP are interested in a coalition, there are still considerable differences. In a possible case of termination of the talks, new elections could be pending in the summer of 2025, which the FPÖ could bring in an advantageous position, since surveys predict an election success of up to 35 percent. The negotiations are therefore not only a test for the political skills of those involved, but also a race against the time for government formation in the country.