Signals for a coalition between the right-wing FPÖ and ÖVP

Formation of government

Austria: Signals for a coalition between the right-wing FPÖ and ÖVP

It’s a dramatic weekend in Austria, with the collapse of coalition talks and the Chancellor’s resignation. Now a solution is emerging. The right-wing FPÖ is on the verge of a triumph.

In Austria, after dramatic crisis talks, a government coalition between the right-wing FPÖ and the conservative ÖVP is emerging. Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen announced a conversation with FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl on Monday about forming a future government – but without immediately instructing the controversial right-wing populist to do so. The ÖVP was also open to such an alliance. It would be the first time that the FPÖ nominates the chancellor.

The 56-year-old Kickl, who positioned himself as “People’s Chancellor” in the election campaign, is known, among other things, for his Russia-friendly stance and an extremely strict migration policy with large-scale deportations. The FPÖ clearly won the parliamentary election three months ago with almost 29 percent.

Dramatic days in domestic politics had paved the way for an increasingly likely FPÖ-ÖVP coalition. Initially, the coalition talks between the conservative ÖVP, the social democratic SPÖ and the liberal Neos failed surprisingly after six weeks when the Neos withdrew from the negotiations. This was followed by short-lived and unsuccessful bilateral talks between the ÖVP and SPÖ, which failed on Saturday.

As a consequence of the failure of the alliance talks, Chancellor Karl Nehammer, whose political fate was linked to the success of such a coalition, announced his resignation as head of government and ÖVP leader. He had sworn the ÖVP to the course of never working with the FPÖ under Kickl. On an interim basis, the previous ÖVP General Secretary Christian Stocker was designated as party leader.

Stocker explained that the ÖVP was now open to negotiations with the FPÖ about a governing coalition if invited. By their nature, such conversations are always “open-ended,” said Stocker.

By opening up to the FPÖ, the economic wing of the ÖVP has prevailed. Both parties repeatedly said that the economic programs were extremely similar.

“We will not sell our souls,” said the influential Salzburg Prime Minister Wilfried Haslauer (ÖVP), with a view to the coalition talks that are now expected. He pointed out that the new election option would not have changed the starting position for the ÖVP.

In the meantime, a comeback by ex-Chancellor Sebastian Kurz was also considered an option for the ÖVP. On Sunday it became clear that the 38-year-old, who is now a successful entrepreneur, was not available as the successor to the current Chancellor and ÖVP leader Nehammer, as people around him said.

The development is also seen as a blow to the Federal President, who had preferred a three-party coalition without the FPÖ. Now it’s about ensuring that Austria has an effective and stable government, said the head of state. He has the impression that the voices in the ÖVP that rule out collaboration with Kickl have become significantly quieter. “That in turn means that a new path may be opening up.”

Nehammer will initially remain in office before appointing a new chancellor from a transitional government over the next week, said Van der Bellen.

The head of state had repeatedly emphasized in his statements that he would ensure “to the best of his knowledge and belief” that the fundamental pillars of democracy – he mentioned the rule of law, separation of powers, free, independent media and EU membership – would continue to be upheld .

As an alternative to FPÖ-ÖVP negotiations, a new election was and is still being considered. However, due to the long lead time, this could only take place in around three months. Pollsters expect that the FPÖ would win even more clearly in the election than in the fall.

The FPÖ, which temporarily lost a lot of credit with voters after the Ibiza affair, has been celebrating many successes at federal and state level for years. The right-wing populists now govern in five of the nine Austrian federal states, and in Styria the FPÖ is the prime minister. Kickl managed to benefit from the extremely difficult economic situation and blame the misery on the other parties.

There are still two state elections this year. In two weeks in Burgenland, which was previously ruled by the SPÖ with an absolute majority, and in the fall in Vienna, also ruled by the Social Democrats. The FPÖ can also expect a large increase in votes in these countries.