The People’s Party (ÖVP) has agreed to enter talks on becoming a junior partner in a coalition with the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ), interim ÖVP leader Christian Stocker announced on Wednesday.

“I will lead the talks,” Stocker said at a press conference in Vienna. “However, honest answers are needed.”

Stocker succeeded Karl Nehammer, who stepped down as ÖVP leader and Chancellor following the collapse of his talks to form a coalition with the Social Democrats (SPÖ) and the liberal NEOS party over the weekend.

In his remarks to the press, Stocker highlighted key principles that any potential FPÖ-ÖVP government would need to adhere to, including media freedom, independence from Russia and cooperation within Europe.

FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl extended an invitation to the ÖVP on Tuesday, a day after President Alexander Van der Bellen tasked him with forming a government.

During Tuesday’s briefing, Stocker also reaffirmed the ÖVP’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and combating antisemitism. The FPÖ is known for its provocative anti-immigration rhetoric, Euroscepticism and ties to Russia, as well as allegations of antisemitism.

Neither party has confirmed when their leaders might meet, and questions about the schedule remained unanswered during Tuesday’s briefing.