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 many concessions. The People's Party saw a "power frenzy" 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 publicly discussed since early today, which did not necessarily increase the chances of 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, although a coalition with the SPÖ would also be mathematically possible. 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 many concessions to the ÖVP in the subsequent talks, the negotiations were ultimately not crowned with success, to our regret."

Stocker: No Resignation

The ÖVP sees the matter completely differently. 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, Stocker emphasized 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 negotiations began.

Furthermore, it was 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 it is the Federal President's turn, 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.

Previously, ÖVP General Secretary Alexander Pröll had already issued a statement declaring that the formation of the government had "failed due to the power frenzy and intransigence of Herbert Kickl." Kickl himself had 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 take responsibility at all, writes Pröll.

What Happens Next?

A statement from the Federal President is still planned for today on how things will proceed now that, following 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, is possible.

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.