Politics In Austria, FPÖ and ÖVP continue coalition negotiations
In Austria, the right-wing FPÖ and the conservative ÖVP want to continue their coalition talks.
06.02.2025, 19:25
06.02.2025, 19:26
SDA
FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl announced after a telephone call with ÖVP chairman Christian Stocker that the talks with the ÖVP to form a federal government, which had recently been interrupted at chief negotiator level, would be resumed as soon as possible. Kickl had previously met with Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen.
A number of stumbling blocks had recently emerged between the two negotiating partners. These included foreign and security policy as well as their respective attitudes towards the EU. While the right-wing populists want to limit the influence of the European Union, the ÖVP is convinced of the advantages of the EU. Domestic policy issues such as the legally compliant formulation of a stricter migration policy were also controversial.
Right-wing populist increasingly likely as chancellor
With the decision to continue the talks, it is becoming increasingly likely that Kickl will be the first right-wing populist to become chancellor in Austria. The FPÖ won the parliamentary elections in the fall of 2024. This was followed by coalition negotiations between the ÖVP, the social democratic SPÖ and the liberal Neos party, which failed.
In the end, 56-year-old Kickl was given the task of forming the government. It is already clear that it has never taken so long to form a government in Austria.
