Politics Three-party coalition in Austria is perfect
In Austria, a three-party coalition of ÖVP, SPÖ and Neos can get off the ground. The liberal Neos, the smallest partner in the alliance, also gave the green light at a general meeting. This means that Austria will have a new government five months after the parliamentary elections - it has never taken this long before.
02.03.2025, 15:03
SDA
94.1 percent of Neos members who cast their votes voted in favor of participating in the coalition. The necessary two-thirds majority was thus clearly achieved. In the new government, the Neos will appoint Christoph Wiederkehr as Education Minister and party leader Beate Meinl-Reisinger as Foreign Minister. "Thank you, thank you, thank you," said Meinl-Reisinger.
Three-party coalition is a novelty in Austria
The vote clears the way for the cabinet to be sworn in on Monday under the new Chancellor and ÖVP leader Christian Stocker. The three-party coalition is a first in the Alpine republic and replaces a government consisting of the ÖVP and the Greens.
The conservative ÖVP, the social democratic SPÖ and the Neos had already tried to forge an alliance after the parliamentary elections in the fall of 2024. This first attempt failed.
After the right-wing FPÖ and ÖVP also failed to form a coalition, the three parties were more willing to compromise at the second attempt under pressure from Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen. An important motive for cooperation was also to prevent FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl from becoming chancellor. The right-wing populists had won the election.
New government is emphatically pro-European
The ÖVP, SPÖ and Neos have presented a government pact of more than 200 pages. The agreed objectives include tighter migration policy, austerity measures to combat the large budget gap and a cap on rent increases in parts of the housing market. The ÖVP and SPÖ party committees had already approved the agreement.
In principle, the ÖVP, SPÖ and Neos are committed to continuity in foreign and EU policy. The pact sets out a pro-European course.
An attempt to form a coalition between the right-wing FPÖ and ÖVP failed in February due to differences in EU and security policy. The right-wing populists are extremely EU-sceptical and are seen as Russia-friendly.
Neos celebrate a "historic moment"
For the Neos, entering the government is a great triumph. "It really is a historic moment", said Meinl-Reisinger at the start of her speech. The liberal party was founded in 2012. It has established itself at federal and state level.
The Liberals see themselves as a force for reform on issues such as education and reducing bureaucracy. In addition, Neos is practically the only party to address the pension problem head-on. Austria has to spend a considerable part of its budget on financing pensions.
