Vienna: Coalition talks between ÖVP and FPÖ collapse
Coalition negotiations between Austria's ÖVP and FPÖ parties have failed, with FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl citing a dispute over the distribution of ministerial posts as the main reason. This comes after coalition talks between the SPÖ, ÖVP and Neos parties were also unsuccessful. Commentators analyse the causes and anticipate what will come next.
A disturbing spectacle
The Kurier doubts whether the FPÖ will ever find a coalition partner:
“It is entirely possible that the blue propaganda machine will succeed in blaming its own failure solely on the ÖVP and the other parties of the 'system'. ... However, it's hard to imagine that after the disturbing spectacle of the last few days anyone will be willing to form a coalition with the FPÖ in the foreseeable future. This is also likely to have consequences for Kickl himself. When he was appointed as party leader in 2021, quite a few functionaries had doubts as to whether he was right for the job due to his radical behaviour. ... They are likely to speak out more loudly again in future.”
Kickl has shown his true colours
The FPÖ leader clearly went too far with his demands, criticises the Neue Zürcher Zeitung:
“Provocation has been his tactic since he entered politics thirty years ago. But now he has apparently taken it too far and scared off the ÖVP, which had wanted to prevent new elections at all costs. ... The FPÖ leader has thus wasted an opportunity that may not present itself again any time soon. On the brink of attaining the chancellorship, he opted for maximalist demands instead of securing some goals for his electorate. ... Kickl has shown his true colours. Like his predecessor Jörg Haider, he has his sights set on a third republic. But that's not what the majority in this country wants.”
No radical change for now
Kickl wanted too much too fast, Corriere della Sera concludes:
“Just last Saturday the Patriots celebrated the 'reconquest' of Europe in Madrid, pointing to the leadership of the Federal Chancellery of Austria as one of the possible imminent successes. But things turned out differently: the FPÖ and ÖVP were unable to reach an agreement on Russia and the war in Ukraine, on the relationship with the European Union, and also on Kickl's demand to transfer control of the secret services, the Finance Ministry and the Interior Ministry to his party, which would be fundamental for a radical change in asylum policy.”
Nothing to be gained from new elections
The Salzburger Nachrichten examines potential scenarios:
“What now? One possibility would be to resume the governmenttalks between the ÖVP, SPÖ and Neos. ... Another would be for the president to appoint an expert or minority government. ... And then, of course, there's the option of new elections. But that would achieve nothing more than months of election campaigning followed by months of coalition talks. And that could well result in an even stronger FPÖ than we already have now. So nothing would be gained and much would be lost. Above all, valuable time.”
Reform instead of simply governing
The ÖVP and SPÖ must now tackle fundamental issues the taz stresses:
“Austria is further away from having a capable government than ever. The ÖVP and SPÖ have failed to reach an agreement. The necessary compromise seemed too big, like the egos of the former traditional parties and their inability to reform. ... If these parties want to save what can be saved, they will above all need sincerity and the willingness to think outside of the box. For decades the ÖVP and SPÖ governed Austria but did little to reform it. What should this country in the centre of Europe look like in the future? That is the question to which the former traditional parties must find an answer.”