The leader of the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ), Herbert Kickl, and the interim chairman of the People’s Party (ÖVP), Christian Stocker, are meeting with Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen this afternoon, as a coalition between the two parties appears increasingly unlikely.

The meetings, which will reportedly be held separately, follow the latest round of talks in the Austrian Parliament this morning, which seems to have yielded no results.

Van der Bellen is expected to make a statement shortly after the discussions.

Tensions have been mounting between the two parties for days, as the negotiating teams have been unable to reach an agreement on the allocation of ministries in any future government.

The FPÖ is seeking control of the influential Interior Ministry, which oversees immigration – a position the ÖVP strongly opposes.

Ahead of Tuesday’s talks, Harald Mahrer, President of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ) and a key negotiator for the ÖVP, warned in reference to Kickl: “Anyone who isn’t willing to compromise and is solely driven by a lust for power may not be fit to govern.”

In the afternoon, Ingrid Korosec, head of the Senior Citizens’ Association and a senior ÖVP member, also stepped forward to criticise the FPÖ leader: “There is no willingness to compromise from Herbert Kickl. Therefore, a coalition government with the FPÖ is very difficult,” she said in a statement. “It is important that the population quickly gets a stable government that is focused on consensus.”

Meanwhile, Lower Austria’s ÖVP governor, Johanna Mikl-Leitner, addressed Kickl at a press conference in St. Pölten: “If I want to become the Chancellor of this Republic, it is also a huge responsibility. With that responsibility comes, of course, the ability to compromise and, above all, the ability to build bridges to create compromises and common approaches.”

ÖVP’s Guiding Principles Unveiled

During a meeting between Kickl and Stocker on Monday, the ÖVP handed the FPÖ a document outlining key principles the party considers non-negotiable. It emphasised the need for a “clear pro-European stance and international cooperation,” describing these as “foundational for the government.”

The document also stressed the importance of speaking “with one voice in Europe” and ensuring Austria’s positions were “jointly coordinated” and implemented in EU bodies. It further called for the condemnation of Russia’s aggressive actions in Ukraine and beyond, asserting that the government views Russia as a threat, particularly to Europe.

Focus on Rule of Law and Security

The document further underscored the importance of rule of law, including adherence to the Austrian constitution, the European Convention on Human Rights and EU treaties. This appears to address concerns over the FPÖ’s criticism of EU law’s precedence over national law.

On security, the ÖVP stressed the need for “neutrality-compliant” airspace defence against rockets and drones. The controversial “Sky Shield” project, a European air defence initiative opposed by the FPÖ, was explicitly mentioned. The document also called for “unrestricted” international cooperation among intelligence services.

Finally, the ÖVP called for firm measures against political and religious extremism while ensuring the protection of minorities. One proposal likely to find favour with the FPÖ was a temporary halt on new asylum applications and a suspension of family reunifications to prevent “overburdening” the system.

SPÖ and NEOS Enter the Debate

On Tuesday morning, Vienna Mayor and head of the city’s Social Democrats (SPÖ), Michael Ludwig, issued a statement expressing his party’s readiness to resume negotiations with the ÖVP.

Earlier, the ÖVP had attempted to form a coalition with the SPÖ and the liberal NEOS party, but those talks broke down in early January.

“We appeal to the reasonable forces of the ÖVP: let us sit down together. Let us work on solutions,” Ludwig said, adding that Austria is facing a “historic situation” and “enormous challenges.”

Ludwig’s call came just a day after SPÖ leader Andreas Babler released a video in which he also called for the resumption of talks with the ÖVP.

NEOS leader Beate Meinl-Reisinger also issued a statement on Tuesday, expressing her readiness to return to the negotiating table. “I am fundamentally prepared to hold talks again with the three of us, even if it has to be in a moderating role,” Meinl-Reisinger said, adding that NEOS would also be open to a minority ÖVP government “in order to prevent a Chancellor Kickl in his rush for power.”