After the breakdown of coalition talks between ÖVP, SPÖ, and Neos in Austria, the ÖVP is willing to engage in talks with the FPÖ to form a government.
“If we are invited to talks about government formation, then we will follow this invitation” said interim party leader Christian Stocker in Vienna on Sunday. He welcomed the decision of President Alexander Van der Bellen to meet with FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl on Monday. Stocker expects Kickl to be entrusted with forming a federal government.
The former ÖVP general secretary also said that some may be surprised by the willingness to engage in talks with the FPÖ, given the earlier vehement rejection. However, the situation has changed, and now one must take responsibility.
If ÖVP and FPÖ ultimately agree on a government, Kickl is likely to take the chancellor’s office. This would be the first time the FPÖ has held the top office in the Alpine Republic. In the National Council election at the end of September, the FPÖ won 28% of the vote, making it the strongest force in parliament for the first time. The ÖVP achieved 26%, followed by the SPÖ with 21%. Initially, neither the ÖVP nor the SPÖ wanted to cooperate with FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl.