
Coalition talks between the People’s Party (ÖVP), Social Democrats (SPÖ) and NEOS took place on Monday following September’s parliamentary elections.
No results were announced after the meeting between Austrian Chancellor and ÖVP leader Karl Nehammer, SPÖ leader Andreas Babler, and NEOS head Beate Meinl-Reisinger. Further talks between the ÖVP and SPÖ are set to continue on Tuesday.
Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen tasked Nehammer with forming the next government last month. The ÖVP finished second in the September 29 vote, behind the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ). However, in a break with tradition, Van der Bellen did not grant the mandate to the FPÖ, as all other parties had ruled out collaborating with them.
Together, the ÖVP and SPÖ – which finished third – hold a slim majority of just one seat in parliament, meaning they require a third coalition partner to form a stable government. Both NEOS and the Green Party – the current junior partner in the outgoing ÖVP-led government – are being considered as potential options.