Christian Stocker, newly elected leader of Austria’s ÖVP party, wasted no time announcing a significant shift in strategy. In his first press conference after being unanimously chosen by the ÖVP board, Stocker declared his readiness to engage in government formation talks with the FPÖ, led by Herbert Kickl.
Stocker replaces Karl Nehammer as the party’s executive chairman, while Alexander Pröll, son of former Vice Chancellor Josef Pröll, assumes the role of Secretary General.
“I welcome the Federal President’s decision to meet the FPÖ chairman at the Hofburg on Monday,” Stocker stated. “I expect he’ll entrust the party with the strongest vote share to form the government. If we’re invited to talks, we’ll accept.”
Stocker’s openness to dialogue marks a striking about-face. Previously, he was one of Kickl’s fiercest critics, branding him a “security risk” and accusing him of mismanaging Austria’s counterterrorism measures during his tenure as Interior Minister. Last year, Stocker lambasted Kickl, asserting that “nobody wants you in this house. Nobody needs you in this republic.”
But Stocker now argues, “My words against Kickl were very harsh. Since yesterday, though, the situation has changed. It’s not about Kickl or me anymore; it’s about forming a stable government. We can’t afford another drawn-out election campaign.” To underscore his pragmatic shift, Stocker pointed out that he had also criticized SPÖ leader Andreas Babler during the election but later negotiated with the SPÖ.
Stocker described his unanimous election as party leader as a “great honor” and vowed to serve with “humility.” Avoiding finger-pointing over past negotiation failures, he emphasized that now is not the time for blame. Johanna Mikl-Leitner, Governor of Lower Austria, echoed this sentiment, calling for unity and cooperation: “New elections would paralyze the country for months, delaying essential measures for economic recovery and combating political Islam. It’s time to move past the wounds of the election campaign and work together for the republic.”
FPÖ leaders, including Tyrol’s Markus Abwerzger, welcomed Stocker’s shift as a “positive signal.” While expressing “healthy skepticism” due to Stocker’s previous criticisms, Abwerzger acknowledged the ÖVP’s willingness to engage as a step in the right direction. Kickl, in a Facebook post, reaffirmed the FPÖ’s priorities: “Our foremost duty is to our people—ensuring affordability, justice, security, and a bright future for generations to come.”
As the political chessboard shifts, all eyes are on Monday’s meeting at the Hofburg, where the Federal President is expected to task Kickl with forming Austria’s next government.
