The leader of Austria’s far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ), Herbert Kickl, and the interim head of the People’s Party (ÖVP), Christian Stocker, have pledged to continue coalition talks after meeting President Alexander Van der Bellen on Tuesday afternoon.

Speculation had been mounting that the talks – which began early last month following the collapse of negotiations to form a centrist coalition between the ÖVP, Social Democrats (SPÖ) and NEOS – were on the verge of breaking down, with key sticking points such as the distribution of ministerial posts still unresolved.

At 135 days and counting, the talks are now the longest coalition negotiations in Austria’s modern history, surpassing the previous record of 129 days set in 1962.

However, both Kickl and Stocker insisted discussions would continue.

Speaking ahead of his meeting with Van der Bellen, Kickl – who is aiming to become Austria’s first far-right chancellor – described a “good atmosphere” in the negotiations, dismissing suggestions that they were close to collapse.

Van der Bellen is set to make a statement on the latest developments on Wednesday.

Earlier on Tuesday, Harald Mahrer, President of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ) and a key ÖVP negotiator, issued a warning directed at Kickl: “Anyone who isn’t willing to compromise and is solely driven by a lust for power may not be fit to govern.”

Ingrid Korosec, head of the Senior Citizens’ Association and a senior ÖVP figure, along with Lower Austria’s ÖVP governor, Johanna Mikl-Leitner, also criticised the FPÖ leader.

Meanwhile, senior SPÖ figures – including party leader Andreas Babler and Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig – joined NEOS head Beate Meinl-Reisinger in urging the ÖVP to revive centrist coalition talks. Meinl-Reisinger added that her party would not oppose a minority ÖVP government “to prevent a Chancellor Kickl in his rush for power.”