Karl Nehammer is stepping down as Chancellor and ÖVP leader “in the coming days” following the breakdown of coalition talks with the SPÖ. He announced this on Saturday in a video shared via social media. “Don’t take yourself too seriously,” was advice his father had given him, Nehammer said. He will ensure an orderly transition and stated it had been an honor to serve the country.

Before this, the People’s Party (ÖVP) had ended discussions with the SPÖ about forming a new government. The justification was that agreement on essential key points was not possible. Internal party pressure on Nehammer had increased recently.

Babler criticizes ÖVP’s flirtation with FPÖ

SPÖ leader Andreas Babler expressed himself similarly in a press briefing, personally thanking Nehammer. Other forces within the ÖVP did not want the negotiations, he said: “The faction that has been eyeing collaboration with the FPÖ from the beginning has prevailed.” When asked, Babler declined to name these forces directly, but after the press conference, the SPÖ pointed to the economic wing of the ÖVP, specifically naming Harald Mahrer and Wolfgang Hattmansdorfer, who is being considered as Nehammer’s successor.

Babler urged the ÖVP to continue negotiating over the weekend instead of walking away, arguing that state responsibility, not “partisan maneuvering,” was needed. He rejected reports that he had considered exiting the talks on Friday as a “classic piece of fake news.”

Babler said he was convinced the remaining open points could have been resolved. The SPÖ had made it clear that they were prepared to make compromises, stating: “Negotiations cannot be a one-way street.” The SPÖ had asked the ÖVP: “Tell us what is possible for you.” However, the ÖVP reportedly demanded “cuts to pensions, teachers, police officers, and healthcare workers.”

Looking to the future, Babler warned: “The SPÖ will continue to be a strong voice for social policy, because we know what now threatens: a Blau-Schwarz coalition and, with it, a far-right chancellor.” The SPÖ Presidency would be briefed on the day’s developments later that evening via an online meeting.

NEOS leader Beate Meinl-Reisinger, in a written statement, said the rapid breakdown of talks confirmed their decision to leave the negotiations due to a lack of reform ambition. “ÖVP and SPÖ are unfortunately incapable of moving past their mutual grievances and developing a shared vision for this country,” she said. Meinl-Reisinger expressed “great respect” for Chancellor Nehammer.

The next steps remain unclear. Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen was briefed on Saturday and plans to take further action on Sunday. Van der Bellen had personally tasked Nehammer with forming a government, bypassing FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl, despite the FPÖ being the strongest party in the National Council elections. He justified this decision by citing the unwillingness of both the ÖVP and SPÖ to form a coalition with the FPÖ.

Nehammer Ends Coalition Talks with SPÖ

ÖVP leader Karl Nehammer has broken off coalition negotiations with the SPÖ.
“An agreement on key issues is impossible; therefore, it makes no sense for a positive future for Austria,” Nehammer stated.

The ÖVP leader and Federal Chancellor added that they had tried everything up until now. Recently, Nehammer had been negotiating with the SPÖ alone after the NEOS dropped out as a third coalition partner. The ÖVP stated that it would provide information about the next steps shortly.

On Friday, NEOS announced that it would withdraw from coalition talks, after which ÖVP and SPÖ said it would continue its talks alone. All major parties have ruled out forming a coalition with the FPÖ, and if the Greens refuse to enter coalition talks, the alternative could be fresh elections.

Christian Stocker Named Acting ÖVP Chairman

Secretary General Christian Stocker was unanimously designated as the acting ÖVP chairman by the ÖVP board on Sunday. The party headquarters confirmed corresponding information from the APA at noon. Stocker will speak publicly for the first time in his new role at a press conference in the afternoon.

Stocker succeeds Karl Nehammer, who announced his resignation as party leader and chancellor on Saturday following the breakdown of coalition negotiations with the SPÖ. It remains unclear who will take over the chancellor role.

Waiting for Van der Bellen’s Decisions

The ÖVP board had been meeting since 10 a.m. At noon, Nehammer made his way to President Alexander Van der Bellen’s office, presumably to return the mandate for forming a government. When asked how much longer he would remain as chancellor, he declined to comment to journalists. “What was important to me, especially during the federal party board meeting, was that the path of stability and moderation can continue. Good and right decisions have been made for this purpose,” he said briefly as he passed by.

Van der Bellen is expected to address the public afterward to outline his perspective on how the government formation process should proceed. Van der Bellen initially tasked Nehammer with this responsibility because none of the potential partners originally wanted to form a coalition with the election winner FPÖ under Herbert Kickl.