Talks to form a coalition government in Austria without the far-right Freedom Party (FPO) collapsed on Saturday, leading conservative Chancellor Karl Nehammer to announce his resignation. This marks a significant political shake-up following the parliamentary elections in September.
“I will stand down as chancellor and as leader of the People’s Party in the coming days and enable an orderly transition,” Nehammer stated in a video message on X after failed negotiations with the Social Democrats (SPO).
The talks’ breakdown underscores the increasing challenge of forming stable governments in European nations where far-right parties like the FPO are gaining traction, despite widespread resistance to partnering with them.
The FPO, led by Herbert Kickl, emerged as the top party in September’s elections with approximately 29% of the vote but lacked a coalition partner to form a government. Nehammer ruled out governing with Kickl, calling him a “conspiracy theorist,” despite acknowledging that many within the FPO are trustworthy.
A day prior to the collapse, the liberal Neos withdrew from the negotiations, citing a lack of bold leadership from the other parties.
Now, Austria faces two likely paths: either President Alexander Van der Bellen tasks Kickl with forming a government, or a snap election is called.
Within Nehammer’s People’s Party (OVP), divisions are apparent. While Nehammer resisted a coalition with the FPO, many in the OVP favour rekindling the partnership, which governed Austria from 2017 to 2019 before collapsing due to the FPO’s involvement in a video-sting scandal.
The OVP leadership is set to meet on Sunday to determine Nehammer’s successor, who may take a different approach towards the far-right FPO, reflecting shifting dynamics in Austrian politics.
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