Stalled Coalition Talks in Austria: FPÖ and ÖVP Deadlocked
Austria’s coalition negotiations between the right-wing Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) and the conservative Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) are on the brink of collapse. The talks have been plagued by disagreements over ministerial portfolios, with the FPÖ rejecting a compromise proposal and blaming the ÖVP for the impasse.
On Tuesday, President Alexander Van der Bellen called for a swift resolution, demanding clarity on whether the negotiations would be terminated or continue. The parties have made little progress on substantive issues, and the tone of public statements from both sides has recently become increasingly acrimonious.
A key sticking point is the Interior Ministry, which both parties claim for themselves. The ÖVP initially proposed separating migration and asylum matters into a separate ministry led by the FPÖ. However, the right-wing party rejected this suggestion, arguing that the Interior Ministry encompasses its "core competencies" in security and asylum.
The FPÖ has countered by offering the ÖVP responsibility for key portfolios such as foreign affairs, finance, infrastructure, and defense. FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl, who seeks the chancellorship after his party’s electoral victory last fall, held the Interior Ministry in the previous coalition with the ÖVP from 2017 to 2019.
During his tenure, Kickl oversaw a raid on the intelligence agency, which prompted friendly foreign intelligence services to scale back their cooperation with Austria. The FPÖ’s latest proposal would place the intelligence agency under an ÖVP state secretary within the Interior Ministry.
Kickl has accused the ÖVP of refusing to discuss policy matters until the allocation of ministerial responsibilities is resolved. "That is the truth. Anyone who claims otherwise is trying to deceive the Austrian people," he said.
ÖVP General Secretary Alexander Pröll, on the other hand, criticized the FPÖ for failing to respond to an ÖVP proposal that included a commitment to the European Union and opposition to foreign influence.
Markus Wallner, ÖVP regional chairman in Vorarlberg, was even more critical. He accused Kickl of being "lost in a power trip" instead of seeking sustainable compromises on substance and competence. "If Kickl doesn’t change his approach, there’s no way to work with him," Wallner said.
Should the coalition talks collapse, a caretaker government or new elections are seen as potential outcomes. Recent polls indicate that the FPÖ would likely emerge even stronger from a new vote than it did in the parliamentary election in September, where it won nearly 29% of the vote. The latest polls show the FPÖ’s support has grown to around 34%.
The impasse highlights the challenges faced by Austrian politics as the country navigates a period of political polarization. The FPÖ’s rise has been fueled by anti-immigration sentiment and Euroscepticism, while the ÖVP has struggled to find a coherent response to these challenges.
The outcome of the coalition negotiations will have a significant impact on Austria’s political landscape and its role in Europe. A right-wing government led by the FPÖ could further strain relations with the EU and other European partners. Alternatively, a caretaker government or new elections could provide an opportunity for a reset and a more constructive dialogue between the major political forces in Austria.
