The collapse of coalition talks between Austria’s two main centrist parties on Saturday has plunged the country into political uncertainty. Conservative Chancellor Karl Nehammer announced his resignation, following failed negotiations with the Social Democrats (SPO) and the liberal Neos, a move that leaves the far-right Freedom Party (FPO) poised to potentially gain power.
In a video statement posted on X, Nehammer revealed his decision to step down both as chancellor and as leader of the conservative People’s Party (OVP). “I will stand down as chancellor and as leader of the People’s Party in the coming days and enable an orderly transition,” Nehammer declared, signaling an end to his leadership amid the political deadlock.
The announcement came after weeks of fraught coalition discussions with the SPO and the liberal Neos, which exited the talks a day earlier, citing the other parties’ inability to take bold and decisive action. The talks’ collapse, three months after Austria’s September parliamentary elections, highlights the growing difficulty of forming stable governments in Europe, where far-right parties are on the rise.
The FPO, a eurosceptic and Russia-friendly party, won the recent election with approximately 29% of the vote. Despite their electoral success, they were unable to secure a coalition partner, as Nehammer firmly ruled out governing alongside FPO leader Herbert Kickl, whom he has described as a conspiracy theorist.
Despite Nehammer’s reservations, the FPO remains a powerful force. Polls show the FPO holds a lead of more than 10 points over both the OVP and the SPO, reflecting growing public support for their platform.
Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen, a former Green Party leader, now faces a critical decision. With Nehammer stepping down, the options include asking Kickl to form a government or calling for a snap election. Van der Bellen has previously expressed reservations about Kickl taking on the role of chancellor, citing concerns over his leadership style and policies.
Van der Bellen’s decision will significantly shape Austria’s political landscape. He must weigh the risks of a far-right-led government against the potential instability of calling another election so soon after the last.
SPO leader Andreas Babler, in a news conference following the breakdown of talks, blamed Nehammer’s party for the failure, accusing them of unwillingness to support social welfare measures, including pensions and salaries for essential workers. Nehammer, in turn, accused the SPO of being inflexible on their flagship campaign policy of taxing wealth and inheritance.
Babler warned of the dangers ahead, stating, “We know what threatens to happen now. An FPO-OVP government with a right-wing extremist chancellor that will endanger our democracy on many points.”
Kickl, meanwhile, wasted no time in criticizing the coalition talks and Van der Bellen’s strategy. In a statement, he likened the talks to the recently collapsed three-party “traffic-light coalition” in Germany, claiming that the Austrian leaders’ attempts to prevent an FPO-led government have failed.
The leadership of the People’s Party is set to meet on Sunday to discuss Nehammer’s successor. The choice of the next leader could signal a shift in the party’s stance towards a potential coalition with the FPO. Historically, the OVP and FPO governed together from 2017 until 2019, when the coalition fell apart due to a scandal involving the then-FPO leader.
The next OVP leader may be more inclined to form a coalition with the FPO, reflecting a faction within the party that favors this partnership. Such a coalition could solidify the FPO’s position in government, potentially giving them the chancellorship.
Austria’s political future hangs in the balance as the nation grapples with the aftermath of the failed coalition talks. The potential rise of the far-right FPO to power raises concerns about the direction of Austria’s democracy and its alignment with European values. Van der Bellen, under increasing pressure, must navigate these turbulent waters carefully. His next steps will either pave the way for an FPO-led government or set the stage for another election, a move fraught with its own risks and uncertainties.
