Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen has asked the leader of the conservative People’s Party (OVP) and current Prime Minister Karl Nehammer to form a coalition government despite the far-right Freedom Party’s defeat in last month’s general election. win.
anti-immigration, Pro-Russian Freedom Party tops September elections The party received nearly 29% of the vote and its leader Herbert Kickl said he should lead the next government.
However, all other parties have ruled out forming a coalition with him.
After talks between the three largest parties, President Alexander van der Bellen said it was clear that Kickl “will not be able to find a coalition partner that would allow him to become prime minister”.
“The parliamentary elections on September 29 are not a race in which the party that crosses the finish line first will automatically form a government,” the 80-year-old president said in a televised speech.
“If a party wants to govern alone, it has to cross the 50% barrier. Reaching 10%, 20% or 30% is not enough.”
Van der Bellen said he had asked current Prime Minister Karl Nehammer to hold coalition talks with the Social Democrats, who came in third with 21% of the vote. The rate ranks second.
However, a coalition between the Conservatives and the Social Democrats could only secure a one-seat majority.
Nehammer said in a statement to the media that a third partner was needed to ensure a stable parliamentary majority.
This third party may be the Green Party or the new liberal party.
Nehammer said he could not tell “whether these talks and negotiations will actually lead to the formation of a government.”
“However, what I can assure you is that I will act in a spirit of stability, reliability and responsibility to our country.”
Herbert Kickel said in a statement on Facebook that the president violated the “time-tested normal procedures” of the Republic of Austria by not entrusting the election winner to form a government.
“To many of you, this may seem like a slap in the face,” he wrote.
“But I promise you this: the last word has not yet been spoken. The story of today is not over yet.
