Coalition Negotiations Continue Over the Weekend

On Friday, the coalition negotiations between the FPÖ and ÖVP continue with meetings of the subgroups. The hot topic of the ORF household fee will be further discussed in the subgroup on media, art and culture. Foreign policy talks are also taking place. Another meeting of the party leaders is possible at any time, but a specific date has not yet been set.

Coalition Negotiations: Meeting of Subgroups on Media and Foreign Policy on Friday

The future of the ORF is one of the biggest stumbling blocks in the coalition negotiations. The Freedom Party wants to abolish the recently introduced household fee, which the ÖVP has so far resisted. The People's Party's offer to maintain this and simply not adjust it in the coming years is rejected by the FPÖ. The issue is likely to be primarily dealt with directly by party leaders Herbert Kickl (FPÖ) and Christian Stocker (ÖVP), who have already met on Wednesday and Thursday. The subgroup on foreign policy and the EU also has potential for conflict. The turquoise negotiators - led by the group leader in the European Parliament Reinhold Lopatka - continue to insist on a commitment to the Union. Statements by the blue EU MP Petra Steger, who had referred to the European Parliament as the "heart of injustice", were not particularly helpful. It is also possible that a government department will again be responsible for foreign and European policy.

No Break Planned in Coalition Negotiations

The FPÖ and ÖVP do not want to take a break from negotiations. Thus, at least the subgroups are expected to attend further meetings over the weekend. The semester break will also be used. There is still no specific timeframe for the possible conclusion of the talks. However, according to APA information, participants in the talks doubt that an agreement could be reached by mid-February.

Protest Against Plans for Tuition Fees at Coalition Negotiations

Meanwhile, the student representation called for a demonstration against a possible blue-black coalition on Friday afternoon. Due to alleged plans by the coalition negotiators to raise tuition fees to 1,000 euros, the Austrian Students' Union (ÖH) fears a massive restriction of free university access. Currently, 363.36 euros per semester are due if the planned study time is exceeded by more than two semesters. Even now, students cannot afford to study, the ÖH warned in a press release. According to the student social survey, three quarters of Austrian students had to work alongside their studies in 2023.

(APA/Red)

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