VIENNA (Reuters) – Talks between Austria’s two largest centrist parties aimed at forming a coalition government excluding the far-right Freedom Party (FPO) have collapsed, announced Chancellor Karl Nehammer on Saturday, signaling his impending resignation.
The development emerged following the withdrawal of a third party, the small liberal Neos, which criticized the other negotiating parties for their perceived lack of decisive action. The Neos departure threw the coalition talks into turmoil.
Nehammer stated in a video message on X that he would be stepping down as Chancellor and leader of the conservative People’s Party in the days ahead to facilitate a smooth transition. Discussions between Nehammer’s People’s Party and the Social Democrats (SPO) continued on Saturday even after Neos exited the negotiations.
The eurosceptic and Russia-friendly FPO emerged victorious in the most recent parliamentary election in September, securing 29% of the vote. However, lacking the majority required to govern independently, the FPO needed a coalition partner. Nehammer’s rejection of any collaboration with FPO leader Herbert Kickl left the FPO without an immediate potential ally.
In light of this impasse, Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen, a former Green Party leader, entrusted Nehammer with the task of establishing a government. With Nehammer’s impending resignation, the options appear to narrow down to either assigning Kickl the responsibility of forming a government or calling for snap elections.
Opinion polls indicate a significant surge in support for the FPO since the previous election, with a lead of more than 10 points over both the People’s Party (OVP) and the SPO.
SPO leader Andreas Babler confirmed the breakdown of the talks during a press conference, expressing concerns about the potential formation of a far-right government led by Kickl and highlighting the perceived threat such a government could pose to Austrian democracy.
The political landscape in Austria remains uncertain as the nation navigates the aftermath of failed coalition negotiations, presenting challenges for the country’s leadership and democratic stability.
(Reporting by Francois Murphy; editing by Jason Neely)
