Blue-Black Dispute in Coalition Negotiations: Svazek Fires Back at Stocker

"Anyone who wants to negotiate seriously and professionally does so within the designated framework," Marlene Svazek accused ÖVP leader Christian Stocker of a "media solo run" due to a background discussion with journalists on Saturday.

Svazek Criticises Stocker for Demands in Coalition Negotiations

She strictly rejects "the possible alignment of positions or results via the media," the Deputy Governor of Salzburg, who is also involved in the federal negotiations, let it be known in a statement. The ÖVP was "not elected as the strongest party on 29th September" and will "have to accept the changed signs," Svazek directed. "The alignment, who has to move where," does not bring "any negotiation advantage as a junior partner, on the contrary."

"In addition, Stocker can be sure that the FPÖ not only represents the middle of society, but also makes liberal politics for our middle class, for our families and for all hard-working Austrians," Svazek countered. The FPÖ wants to take responsibility and will "continue to lead serious and constructive discussions in the negotiation groups," she said. "Anyone who is serious about future cooperation in the interest of Austrians works on it at the negotiation table."

ÖVP After FPÖ Criticism: "Keep a Cool Head"

ÖVP leader Stocker had invited journalists to a background discussion on Thursday afternoon, which filled the domestic politics pages of the Saturday newspapers. He demanded a movement "from the right fringe to the centre" from the FPÖ, otherwise a government with the ÖVP would not be possible. A clear commitment to the EU, liberal democracy, media freedom and the fight against anti-Semitism must be guaranteed. The acting party leader did not mention any specific red lines or negotiation details.

The ÖVP tried to react to the blue storm with emphasized calmness: Everyone should "keep a cool head", recommended Secretary General Pröll in a written statement. It was clear that the People's Party represented the centre. "Whether ÖVP and FPÖ can meet in the middle will be shown by the negotiations."

Kunasek, Landbauer and Nepp also criticize Stocker

Stocker has "not only made an impermissible determination of position about the Freedom Party", but the ÖVP leader "also jeopardizes the basis for constructive coalition negotiations to form a joint federal government", warned the Styrian FPÖ. "Serious negotiations require that both partners exchange views in the context of confidential discussions and do not communicate positions to each other via the media and other third parties", said Governor Mario Kunasek. "The ÖVP must also learn at the federal level to accept election results and realize that it is no longer the strongest force in this country and therefore must be ready to compromise", Kunasek admonished. It is understandable that Stocker, in view of his upcoming election as federal party chairman of the ÖVP at the end of March, is trying to position himself "with publicity-effective edges against the Freedom Party", but "party tactical considerations" should "never be above the welfare of Austria".

"We stand by our principles", also emphasized the Lower Austrian state party leader and deputy governor Udo Landbauer. Anything else would be "betrayal of the voter and we are not available for that". The ÖVP must "finally understand that the FPÖ has won the National Council election through this honesty and that the now exhumed Nehammer wording of the 'alleged' middle was voted out", he thundered. "Negotiations are conducted at the negotiating table." The ÖVP will only find its new role, the FPÖ has "long been politically in the middle", also found Vienna's FPÖ leader Nepp. "The election campaign is over", now is the "time for serious negotiations", he said. "Political negotiations belong at the negotiating table and not in the newspaper columns. Anyone who seeks serious solutions must communicate directly and objectively, instead of playing Chinese whispers via the public." Austria now needs no "tactical games", but "real solutions" and a "respectful interaction with each other", Nepp admonished.

(APA/Red)

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