After the failure of coalition talks between the ÖVP, SPÖ, and Neos in Austria, President Alexander Van der Bellen is considering giving the mandate for government formation to FPÖ chief Herbert Kickl.
The voices within the ÖVP that rule out cooperation with the FPÖ under Kickl “have become much quieter”, the President said on Sunday. “This, in turn, means that a new path may emerge that did not exist before.” That is why he called Kickl and arranged a meeting for Monday at 11 a.m. at the Hofburg to discuss the new situation.
Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) will reportedly remain in office for the coming days after announcing his resignation. A new chancellor of the transitional government will be appointed “in the course of the next week”, the President said. “This ensures the orderly administration and the continuation of the Republic of Austria’s business.”
At the National Council election at the end of September, the FPÖ became the strongest party in parliament for the first time, with 28% of the vote. The ÖVP had 26%, followed by the SPÖ with 21%. Initially, however, neither the ÖVP nor the SPÖ wanted to cooperate with FPÖ chief Herbert Kickl. Consequently, ÖVP, SPÖ, and Neos held coalition talks in November, which failed on Friday. The further talks between ÖVP and SPÖ were then broken off on Saturday.