Blue-Black Failed: FPÖ Leader Kickl Ends Coalition Negotiations with ÖVP

The blue-black coalition negotiations have collapsed. FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl returned the mandate to form a government in the afternoon at the Hofburg, as he announced in a press release. This was preceded by a final personal meeting with VP leader Christian Stocker. Kickl blamed the ÖVP for the failure, as they had made concessions on many points. The People's Party saw a "power rush" of the FPÖ leader.

The failure had become apparent at the latest since the beginning of the week. Last attempts to reach an agreement on the distribution of ministries had been conducted through the media since early today, which did not necessarily increase the chances of reaching an understanding.

Kickl-Stocker Meeting Without Breakthrough

After a phone call between the two party leaders, there was a personal meeting at noon mediated by the Federal President. However, this also lasted less than an hour and did not bring any breakthrough.

Kickl then drove to the Hofburg and handed the Federal President a letter "not without regret," in which he explained why he was returning the mandate to form a government, even though a coalition with the SPÖ would also be possible mathematically. Preliminary talks with SP leader Andreas Babler had shown that not only were the positions far apart on crucial points, but the SPÖ also fundamentally took a rejecting position on any cooperation with the FPÖ.

"Not Crowned with Success"

The FPÖ leader emphasized that they had sought talks with the ÖVP with the intention of quickly forming an efficient federal government according to a tight schedule. Together, they wanted to lead Austria back to the top of Europe - "economically strong, socially responsible, and with a migration policy that protects the interests of our country and its people."

However, before the contentious points could be clarified at the chief negotiator level, the ÖVP insisted on clarifying the distribution of ministries. On February 4, the Freedom Party presented a corresponding draft: "Although we made concessions to the ÖVP on many points in the subsequent talks, the negotiations were ultimately not crowned with success, to our regret."

Stocker: No Resignation

The situation is seen completely differently by the ÖVP. Federal party chairman Christian Stocker accused Kickl of not having transitioned from the role of an opposition politician to that of a government politician. The ÖVP conducted the negotiations honestly and constructively and went beyond their own limits in many areas, emphasized Stocker at a press conference at the federal party headquarters. However, during the course of the negotiations, it became clear that no agreement could be reached with the FPÖ on the basic principles set by the ÖVP before the start of the negotiations.

It was also out of the question to "put the country's security at risk," he said in reference to the FPÖ's demand for the Ministry of the Interior. Stocker did not want to comment on his preference for how things should proceed now. The Federal President is now in charge, but the ÖVP is still ready to take responsibility. Stocker ruled out resigning as federal party leader after the failure of the coalition negotiations. "This question does not arise for me and us in this situation," after all, it was not the ÖVP that had the mandate to form a government, but the FPÖ, therefore the failure is not the responsibility of the People's Party. A federal party board meeting of the ÖVP is planned for the evening.

What Follows Now?

The situation is seen completely differently by the ÖVP, for which the first secretary-general Alexander Pröll issued a statement. This government formation failed "due to the power intoxication and intransigence of Herbert Kickl." The FPÖ leader remained stuck in the role of an opposition politician and never arrived in that of a head of government.

For five weeks, the ÖVP negotiated constructively and honestly, even going beyond their own limits by offering the Ministry of Finance. Kickl himself hardly contributed to the government negotiations: "In five weeks, Kickl sat at the negotiating table for a total of seven hours." He was not willing to make compromises and enter into a partnership on equal terms. Kickl did not fulfill his mandate to form a government and thus missed the opportunity for a center-right government. The question remains whether Kickl ever wanted to face the responsibility at all, writes Pröll.

A statement from the Federal President is still expected today on how things will proceed now that, after the former ÖVP chairman Karl Nehammer, Kickl has also failed to form a government. A renewed attempt at a three-party coalition, a minority government, or a transitional government until a new election, which could take place before the summer, would be possible.

Which preference the ÖVP would have could become clearer today in a press briefing.

LIVE Blog After the End of Coalition Negotiations Between FPÖ and ÖVP

(APA/Red)

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