The Austrian political scene faces a serious crisis following failed attempts to establish a coalition government.
After 4 months of negotiations, Austrian Liberal organization leader (FPÖ), Herbert Kickl, failed to scope an agreement with the Conservative Austrian People's organization (ÖVP), meaning that the country remains without a unchangeable government and without a clear political imagination of the future.
The September 2024 parliamentary elections brought success to the Austrian Free Party, which won 29% of the vote, making it the strongest group in the country. However, despite 4 months and repeated attempts to negotiate, politicians failed to scope an agreement on the creation of a government. Initially, 3 centre parties sought to form a coalition that would prevent FPÖ from taking power. However, talks failed erstwhile liberal and conservative parties, including the ÖVP, failed to scope an agreement.
The last hope for a majority government was an agreement between the FPÖ and the ÖVP, but the negotiations had just failed. Migration and national safety have proved a key point in the dispute. The FPÖ demanded control of the Ministry of the Interior to implement its anti-immigration policy, but conservatives from the ÖVP felt that the transfer of this hotel of the “outside” p organization could harm Austrian cooperation with abroad intelligence services.
Christian Stocker, president of ÖVP, commented on the situation with the words:
“Herbert Kickl won the most votes, but that doesn’t mean he can take over all power.”
Following the collapse of the coalition talks, Austrian president Alexander Van der Bellen announced that he would consult with political leaders to find a way out of the deadlock. He besides stressed the importance of compromise in liberal democracy:
“ Liberal democracy is based on compromise and balance of various interests. This is the only way to stableness and long-term success of society."
Two main scenarios are presently under consideration. The first is simply a fresh centre coalition. 2 smaller parties, Liberal fresh Austria and the Liberal Forum (NEOS) and the Social Democratic organization of Austria (SPÖ), who had previously participated in coalition talks, expressed their willingness to renegotiate with the ÖVP. If a compromise can be reached, a government can be created without the participation of the FPÖ. The second is the interim and early government elections "If the negotiations fail, the president may decide to set up an interim government that would manage the country pending the organisation of earlier elections.
Failed coalition talks can paradoxically work in the favour of Herbert Kickl and his party. The FPÖ has been strengthening its position in Austrian politics for a long time, and according to the latest polls their support has increased since the September elections. An expanding proportion of the population is disappointed by the deficiency of an effective government and political deadlock, which could lead voters to greater support for FPÖ in the case of early elections.
