The Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) has called for Chancellor Karl Nehammer to step down immediately, accusing him of clinging to power despite voters rejecting his leadership in last September’s federal elections. Michael Schnedlitz, FPÖ’s General Secretary and National Council member, has labeled Nehammer’s refusal to resign a threat to Austria’s political stability.
From Vienna, Schnedlitz lambasted what he sees as a deliberate effort by legacy parties to block the FPÖ—despite its first-place finish—from leading the next government.
The political deadlock escalated when the liberal NEOS party pulled out of coalition negotiations with Nehammer’s Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) and the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ). After nearly 100 days of fruitless discussions, NEOS leader Beate Meinl-Reisinger announced the talks’ collapse on Friday, citing irreconcilable differences—particularly over the SPÖ’s aggressive tax proposals.
“There was no breakthrough on key issues,” Meinl-Reisinger said, adding that NEOS refused to base decisions solely on short-term political gains.
The collapse of these talks leaves Nehammer’s chancellorship on shaky ground. Schnedlitz criticized him for ignoring FPÖ warnings about the pitfalls of constructing what he called a German-style “loser traffic light” coalition, claiming it was doomed from the start.
“Every hour Nehammer clings to power causes more harm,” Schnedlitz declared. He urged the Chancellor to step aside, accusing him of prioritizing personal political survival over Austria’s well-being.
“Should this ‘Chancellor actor,’ already on the ropes, attempt another unstable loser coalition—whether with the SPÖ or a new traffic light model including the Greens instead of NEOS—let me be clear: the people have had enough! It’s time to resign, Mr. Nehammer!” he added.
The FPÖ, currently polling at 35% and climbing, stands poised to capitalize on voter dissatisfaction if Austria faces fresh elections. President Alexander Van der Bellen has also faced criticism from Schnedlitz for granting Nehammer the mandate to form a government despite the FPÖ winning the largest share of votes.
Van der Bellen justified bypassing FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl by citing other parties’ refusals to entertain the idea of him leading the country.
NEOS’ abrupt withdrawal, widely seen as crucial to forming a viable coalition without the FPÖ, has thrown Austrian politics into uncertainty. Possible scenarios include:
- Grand Coalition: The ÖVP and SPÖ could attempt a partnership, though their razor-thin majority would likely struggle to maintain stability.
- Revised Traffic Light: A second attempt at a traffic light coalition could involve the Greens instead of NEOS, but ideological divides might prove insurmountable.
- FPÖ Leadership Attempt: If Van der Bellen shifts course, Kickl could be invited to form a government.
- Snap Elections: Should all else fail, new elections may become unavoidable, likely benefiting the FPÖ at the expense of parties that sidelined it.
With the FPÖ’s popularity surging, Austria’s political future hangs in the balance, raising questions about whether traditional parties can maintain their hold or if voters will push for significant change.
