FPÖ Offer to ÖVP: Kickl Insists on Interior and Finance Ministry in Coalition Negotiations

The FPÖ offer, which is available to the APA, contains some small concessions, but the Freedom Party still insists on retaining the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Finance. When asked, the party confirmed the existence of the document, which was already handed over at a meeting of the party leaders on Tuesday. Reportedly, the FPÖ has now given the ÖVP an ultimatum to respond to their "final offer" by 11 a.m. A personal meeting of the party leaders is not actually planned for today. According to APA information, only a phone call is planned.

ÖVP Demand for Answers from FPÖ

ÖVP General Secretary Alexander Pröll responded with criticism that the Freedom Party has still not reacted to the list of principles for a joint government presented by the People's Party on Monday. In the document, the ÖVP once again insisted on a sovereign Austria free from foreign influence. Also highlighted in the principles paper is "more security through the Sky Shield drone defense system," which is rejected by the FPÖ. Austria must also remain a reliable partner of the European Union, the liberal democracy must be protected by the rule of law, and every form of extremism must be combated. "These principles must also be reflected in the distribution of competencies in a future government," said Pröll in a statement.

FPÖ Demands Ministry of the Interior and Ministry of Finance from ÖVP

According to the new proposal from the Freedom Party, they would receive six ministries in a blue-turquoise government: In addition to the Federal Chancellor himself and the Chancellery (including the areas of constitution, deregulation, media, and digitalization), these would also include the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Finance, which the ÖVP is also interested in. Additionally, new compared to previous proposals would be a Ministry of Labor, which should also include integration. This is complemented by a ministry for health, sports, and tourism.

ÖVP to Receive Seven Ministries According to FPÖ Offer

According to the blue proposal, the ÖVP would receive seven ministries: Foreign Affairs including the EU, Transport and Infrastructure, Economy, Research and Energy, National Defense and Public Service, Agriculture and Environment. New is that (in exchange for the now blue labor department) the social sector should also go to the ÖVP, including Women, Family, and Youth. Additionally, there would be Education, Science, Art, and Culture. The Ministry of Justice would be filled with an independent candidate.

FPÖ Confirms Offer to ÖVP

"This is the freedom party's offer," confirmed the blue Secretary General Michael Schnedlitz regarding the content of the document that had been sent to ÖVP leader Stocker. With such a distribution, the ÖVP could "operate in all its core competencies." For example, the entire location policy would fall to them. In view of the proposal, "it is probably obvious that the FPÖ, in return, claims its core competencies located in the Ministry of the Interior - security and asylum - for itself." On Wednesday, another meeting between party leaders Herbert Kickl and Christian Stocker was scheduled to discuss the blue proposal. After a meeting the day before reportedly lasted not even half an hour, it is questionable whether they will meet at all or just talk on the phone. After that, both parties could make a final decision on whether to continue negotiations at all. In this regard, Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen also put pressure after talks with Kickl and Stocker on Tuesday.

ÖVP Governor Wallner Sees FPÖ Leader Kickl "Caught in a Power Frenzy"

Meanwhile, Vorarlberg's Governor Markus Wallner (ÖVP) sharply criticized FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl. He is "caught in a power frenzy instead of making sustainable content and competence-based compromises. If he insists on these positions, no state can be made with him," Wallner stated in a release. A Chancellor must demonstrate dialogue skills, act statesmanlike, and work with all responsible parties - on equal footing, with respect, and a clear pro-European stance. However, Kickl remains in opposition mode, Wallner saw signs that Kickl could not do this. Without naming Wallner, the FPÖ responded on X: "This is not a power frenzy, this is more than fair, unless the ÖVP wants a sole government."

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.