Talks between the People’s Party (ÖVP) and the Social Democrats (SPÖ) are reportedly underway, two days after the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) abandoned its bid to form a government in a dramatic move that has left Austria’s political future wide open.
At nearly 140 days, this is the longest Austria has taken to form a government since the Second World War, surpassing the previous record of 129 days set in 1962.
On Thursday, President Alexander Van der Bellen held separate meetings with ÖVP interim chairman Christian Stocker, SPÖ leader Andreas Babler, NEOS head Beate Meinl-Reisinger and the Greens’ chief and outgoing Vice-Chancellor Werner Kogler. A “close exchange” has been agreed upon for the coming days.
“There are no negotiations, but at the request of the Federal President, we will hold talks with the other parties,” the ÖVP said on Friday. However, no further details were given, with the SPÖ similarly tight-lipped, saying only that “intensive discussions” were taking place.
Four Possible Paths Forward
FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl – who had hoped to become Austria’s first far-right chancellor since his party was founded by former Nazis in the 1950s – announced on Wednesday that he was ending coalition negotiations with the ÖVP.
The announcement followed days of tensions between Kickl and the ÖVP over ministerial positions and other key issues.
Following Kickl’s decision, Van der Bellen outlined four possible scenarios: fresh elections, a minority government backed by parliament, a temporary technocratic government before elections, or another attempt by centrist parties to form a government without the FPÖ.
A previous effort, led by the ÖVP, collapsed in early January when both NEOS and the SPÖ pulled out of talks. This prompted Van der Bellen to hand the government-building mandate to the FPÖ, which had initially been sidelined despite securing first place in the September parliamentary elections with nearly 29% of the vote.
“All parties understand that swift and responsible action is now required,” the president said in a written statement on Wednesday.
The ÖVP and SPÖ together hold a narrow parliamentary majority of just one seat – a situation widely seen as unsustainable, as the absence of a single MP in a crucial vote could pose significant problems for the government. To ensure stability, a third partner may be needed – either NEOS or the Greens – raising the prospect of Austria’s first-ever three-party coalition for a second time.
Meetings with Party Leaders
Speaking after his meeting with Van der Bellen, SPÖ leader Andreas Babler described it as a “good conversation” and reaffirmed the SPÖ’s willingness to “take responsibility” for the country.
Babler also said he ruled out fresh elections. Instead, he suggested two options: parliamentary cooperation to stabilise the budget or full coalition talks with the ÖVP, NEOS and the Greens.
ÖVP leader Christian Stocker, speaking before his talks with Van der Bellen, said the focus was on finding a way out of this “difficult situation.”
NEOS head Meinl-Reisinger and Green leader Werner Kogler were more forthright. “Herbert Kickl has failed in his attempt to form a government and become Chancellor,” Meinl-Reisinger said, with Kogler dismissing Kickl’s ambitions outright: “The public can now see that Emperor Kickl has no clothes.”
He urged cooperation among “constructive forces” and argued that an ÖVP-SPÖ coalition was the only realistic way to secure a parliamentary majority. He also echoed Van der Bellen’s call for compromise, saying it was essential for a “liberal parliamentary democracy.”
Expressing “new optimism,” Kogler said: “We now have the chance to get a pro-European government again – one that values press freedom and ensures the institutions of the Second Republic function properly.”
Kickl’s Frustration
It remains unclear how or if the FPÖ will be involved in any future government talks.
Party leader Herbert Kickl took to Facebook to vent his frustration over the failed negotiations with the ÖVP, criticising the party’s last offer for ministerial posts. “This offer shows that the ÖVP likely only pretended to negotiate with us and had already struck deals with other parties behind the scenes. More and more, it’s becoming clear how absurd the ÖVP’s negotiating style was and what this party really wants.”
