Austria’s ÖVP Secretary General, Christian Stocker, has been unexpectedly chosen as the new candidate to succeed Karl Nehammer as Chancellor, just 15 hours after Nehammer’s surprise resignation.
The rapid rise of the previously low-key politician came after a dramatic turn of events. Nehammer, the leader of the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) and Chancellor, stepped down due to the intense crisis within the party. Sebastian Kurz, considered a natural successor, unexpectedly declined the offer, followed by Karoline Edtstadler and Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer.
The ÖVP’s Landeshauptleute (state governors) faced a dilemma: a new election would lead to a prolonged political stalemate, which was deemed the worst option. Instead, they considered a coalition with the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ).
Christian Stocker as a Compromise Candidate
Stocker, the ÖVP’s General Secretary, emerged as an unexpected candidate. Despite not being a prominent name in the initial selection process, he won the support of the ÖVP’s leadership due to his pragmatic approach.
Stocker’s past criticism of FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl may have initially raised concerns about his ability to negotiate with the party. However, in the face of the urgent need to form a stable government, the ÖVP’s leadership opted for the calm and composed Stocker.
A New Coalition with the FPÖ?
The question of whether the ÖVP can form a lasting government with the FPÖ remains uncertain. While some ÖVP members had previously expressed strong opposition to the idea, regional cooperation between the two parties has weakened this resistance.
Stocker will now face the challenging task of negotiating with Kickl, despite his past harsh words against the FPÖ leader. His ability to find common ground could lead to a “blue-black” government, with Kickl as Chancellor and Stocker as Vice-Chancellor.
The political landscape has been significantly altered by the sudden turn of events, with the FPÖ potentially gaining a more dominant role in a new government. Stocker, tasked with leading the negotiations, will face a difficult road ahead, but the urgency of the situation may provide the necessary support.