Austria: political negotiations have started with a view to a coalition

Arriving at the top of the ballot with 28.8% of votes, the FPÖ is not guaranteed to take over the country’s reigns.

After the success of the far right in the Austrian national elections, but without a clear parliamentary majority, political parties with opposing ideologies are faced with the question of potential coalitions.

The participation rate was 78% with 6.3 million people registered on the electoral lists.

Karl Nehammer, leader of the Austrian conservative party (ÖVP) which came in second place, rejects a possible coalition with the Freedom Party (far right) as long as it is led by Herbert Kickl.

The question is whether the conservatives and social democrats will join forces, possibly with another small party like the Greens, to form an anti-Kickl coalition.

Peter Hajek, political analyst:

“Herbert Kickl (leader of the FPÖ) is a strategist and he has two options. The first option is: We would like to form a government and we will discuss with everyone, but one thing is clear, the name of the chancellor will be Herbert Kickl and this government will have a blue signature. If not, he will move into the opposition and be in the front row, with extra legroom. He will be content to observe a coalition between the OVP and the SPO, which will only have a single majority seat in parliament. Or perhaps a tripartite coalition with the addition of the Neos party or the Greens. They would then have more seats, but as the situation in Germany shows, a three-party coalition is not kindergarten. »

The conservatives could also replace Nehammer with a new leader more inclined to work with Kickl. Overall, they might prefer a merger with the Freedom Party to an alliance with the left.

The election victory of the Freedom Party (FPÖ) sparked a demonstration in front of the Austrian parliament, with citizens worried about the rise of the far right.

The rise of the far right was also evident in the latest elections in Germany and France.