Following the collapse of coalition talks among Austria’s ÖVP, SPÖ, and NEOS, President Alexander Van der Bellen has announced a pivotal meeting with FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl to explore forming a new government. Scheduled for Monday at Vienna’s Hofburg Palace, the talks could mark a turning point in Austrian politics.
Last week, coalition negotiations aimed at excluding the FPÖ fell apart, leading Chancellor Karl Nehammer to announce his resignation as both chancellor and ÖVP party leader. Nehammer blamed “destructive forces” within the Social Democrats for the breakdown, warning that their coalition agenda jeopardized Austria’s economic competitiveness.
Nehammer’s departure signals a shift in political strategy. Christian Stocker, the ÖVP’s interim leader, expressed openness to talks with Kickl’s FPÖ, emphasizing the need for a stable government. “We can’t keep losing time,” Stocker said, adding that the FPÖ, having won the most votes in the recent election, should lead coalition talks.
This stance contrasts with the ÖVP’s earlier refusal to work with the FPÖ under Nehammer. President Van der Bellen noted that opposition within the ÖVP to partnering with Kickl has notably softened.
For his part, Kickl asserted that the FPÖ offers stability, blaming other parties for the “lost time” and public distrust stemming from the coalition deadlock. On Facebook, he reaffirmed the FPÖ’s priorities: affordability, fairness, security, and protecting Austria’s future, while championing his slogan, “First the people, then the Chancellor.”
Kickl’s hardline policies on immigration and skepticism toward EU sanctions on Russia and COVID-19 restrictions have alienated some potential allies. Yet, with the SPÖ-ÖVP talks in shambles, the FPÖ stands as a strong contender to lead a new government.
President Van der Bellen highlighted the democratic need for compromise, saying, “Democracy is about struggling for solutions and then making compromises—sincerely.” His upcoming meeting with Kickl will determine if the FPÖ can build a viable coalition, potentially with the ÖVP now ready to negotiate.
If successful, these talks could usher in a new era of Austrian politics, with the FPÖ poised to lead the government for the first time.
