ÖVP, SPÖ and Neos agree on coalition

About five months after the election in Austria, the conservative ÖVP, the social democratic SPÖ and the liberal Neos have agreed to form a government. This was announced by a spokesman for the ÖVP. The government program is entitled "Do the right thing now. For Austria." Details are to be presented at a press conference at 11 a.m.

It was already the second attempt at such a three-party coalition, which is unique in Austria. The agreement is subject to conditions. The Neos still have to obtain the approval of their party base. This is expected to happen on Sunday. The new government could be sworn in on Monday.

ÖVP leader Christian Stocker is to lead the alliance as chancellor, SPÖ leader Andreas Babler will take over the post of vice chancellor. At around 150 days, it has never taken so long to form a government in Austria.

In September, the right-wing FPÖ won the parliamentary election. The ÖVP, SPÖ and Neos then wanted to forge a centrist coalition and keep the right-wing populists out of the chancellery. But the attempt failed in January when the Neos withdrew from the negotiations. Shortly afterwards, talks between the previous chancellor party, the ÖVP, and the SPÖ about a two-party coalition also failed. Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen then commissioned FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl to form a government. Kickl wanted to work with the ÖVP. But that also failed. His right-wing populists, who are critical of the EU and tend to be pro-Russia, could not agree on a foreign policy line with the pro-European conservatives. In addition, there was great mistrust between the two parties. In order to end the political crisis, Van der Bellen appealed to the reasons of state and the ability of the political forces in Austria to reach consensus.

Under the growing pressure of the poor economic situation and the large budget deficit, the ÖVP and SPÖ entered into negotiations again and initially agreed on a double budget for 2025 and 2026 marked by savings.