Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer announced his resignation following unsuccessful negotiations to form a coalition without the participation of the right-wing Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ).
Nehammer made the announcement in a video address on the evening of Saturday, January 4.
The Austrian Chancellor and leader of the conservative Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) stated that he had conducted coalition talks “at length and honestly,” but that reaching an agreement with the Social Democrats (SPÖ) was “impossible on key issues.”
“The People’s Party stands by its promises: we will not agree to measures against benefits, businesses, or new taxes. Therefore, we are ending the negotiations with the SPÖ and will not continue them,” he emphasized.
Nehammer also announced that he would resign as Chancellor and leader of his Austrian People’s Party “in the coming days to ensure an orderly transition.”
According to Reuters, Social Democratic Party leader Andreas Babler confirmed the failure of the coalition talks during a press conference on Saturday, accusing the conservatives of trying to cut costs on pensions, teachers’ salaries, and police pay.
Meanwhile, Freedom Party leader Herbert Kickl compared the failed coalition negotiations to Germany’s three-party coalition and declared that the strategy of sidelining Austria’s right-wing had failed.
“Alexander Van der Bellen bears significant responsibility for the chaos and wasted time… After today’s events, he is under pressure and must act,” Kickl added, referring to Austria’s President, who had tasked Nehammer with leading the coalition negotiations.
