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

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

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 negotiating at the federal level, let it be known in a press release. The ÖVP was "not elected as the strongest party on 29th September" and will "have to accept the changed signs," Svazek said. "Aligning 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 conduct 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 negotiating 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 had demanded a move "from the right edge 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 specific red lines or negotiation details.

The ÖVP tried to react to the blue storm with emphasised calm: "It's no use losing your nerves now," said Secretary General Alexander Pröll. Everyone should "keep a cool head". It is clear that the People's Party represents the centre. "Whether ÖVP and FPÖ can meet in the middle will be shown by the negotiations."

The ÖVP also sent out their state party leaders. "Emotions are rarely a good advisor. For negotiations to reach a positive outcome, a cool head is needed," emphasized Upper Austria's Governor Thomas Stelzer. "To govern, it requires two partners on an equal footing, who have the broad middle in mind." It is completely out of the question that for the ÖVP "fundamental pillars of democracy such as press and freedom of speech or a clear commitment to the EU are non-negotiable". "It should surprise no one that we insist on this - it is our duty and our conviction." Now it is important that emotions subside and that we meet again "sensibly at the negotiating table". The ÖVP wants to achieve a good result - "but not at any cost". "We have seen in Styria how a good path of cooperation is possible. I wish that the federal FPÖ also shows the willingness to move a little towards the potential partner," said the acting Styrian ÖVP leader Manuela Khom.

Kunasek, Landbauer and Nepp Also Criticise Stocker

Stocker has "not only made an impermissible determination of the location of the Freedom Party," but the ÖVP leader "also jeopardises 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 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 realise 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 stand above the welfare of Austria".

"We stand by our principles," also emphasized the Lower Austrian 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.

Kickl: "FPÖ for Uniform Appearance of the Federal Government at EU Level"

Significantly softer than his country colleagues sounded Saturday afternoon FPÖ federal party leader Herbert Kickl. He found Stocker's statements in the media surprising, according to which they wanted to find a regulation to act uniformly at EU level. "Actually, one would expect a negotiating partner - in our case the ÖVP - to talk to us first about their intentions. Unfortunately, a completely different path was chosen here..." However, Kickl was mild, "the FPÖ also advocates a uniform and clear appearance of the federal government at EU level - a principle that was always self-evident until the Gewessler case (keyword: EU renaturation)". This joint action must "be based on a clear commitment to the principle of unanimity and subsidiarity," Kickl emphasized. It is also clear that "Austria will no longer support any further extensions of EU competences in the future and will actively advocate for the withdrawal of already made wrong decisions, such as the debt union".

(APA/Red)

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