"Kickl Has Failed": Parties Now Working with Van der Bellen on Coalition

The series of meetings at the Hofburg began with NEOS leader Beate Meinl-Reisinger at 11 a.m., followed by Green Party leader Werner Kogler at noon. In the afternoon, ÖVP leader Christian Stocker appeared, accompanied by Upper Austria's Governor Thomas Stelzer, among others. SPÖ leader Andreas Babler is expected at 4:15 p.m.

NEOS Leader Meinl-Reisinger in Contact with SPÖ and ÖVP

"The fact is, Herbert Kickl has failed - with his claim to form a government and to be chancellor himself," said the NEOS leader before her meeting at the Hofburg to the many journalists waiting outside. She herself is in contact with the party leaders of SPÖ and ÖVP and will discuss the various options with them as well as with the Federal President, so that "the population quickly gets a government."

She had already shown the possible alternatives to the ÖVP in the past few days, to demonstrate to the People's Party "that one is not at the mercy of Herbert Kickl's fantasies of omnipotence." The NEOS want to show constructiveness in all options, said Meinl-Reisinger upon leaving the Hofburg.

Kogler Sees New Chance for Pro-European Government

The population sees that "Emperor Kickl is naked," said Kogler before his conversation with Van der Bellen. It is now about cooperation among the constructive forces, for a majority in the National Council, ÖVP and SPÖ are needed. The Green Party leader emphasized - as the Federal President did the day before - the importance of willingness to compromise for liberal parliamentary democracy. He spoke of "new optimism": "We now have the chance to get a pro-European government again. A government that also values media freedom, by the way, and allows the institutions of the Second Republic to function."

"Compared to what was threatening now, we have much, much more in common than what divides the parties," Kogler said upon leaving the Hofburg. The divisive issues must be handled in such a way "that there are no irreconcilable differences again." In this way, a government could be formed in the coming weeks. He described the role of the Greens in the event of an ÖVP-SPÖ government as follows: "Whenever it comes to having majorities, the Greens play a role when it gets tight for ÖVP-SPÖ - although I think that's an exaggerated concern - but we will always hold talks." They can also "stand by with advice and support," as the Greens have shown in recent years that they can govern. A new election is also a possibility and "not a tragedy," "it's just that there was just an election (note), so those who were elected should see that they achieve something together."

ÖVP Leader Stocker Speaks of "Difficult Situation"

ÖVP leader Christian Stocker arrived at the Hofburg at 2:30 PM. Accompanying him were the two chief negotiators, club chairman August Wöginger and Secretary General Alexander Pröll. Surprisingly, Stelzer was also present, accompanying the party leadership to the Hofburg. Stocker remained quite reserved both before and after the meeting. Van der Bellen had invited them for talks, he said. The aim now, after the breakdown of negotiations, is to find a way out of this "difficult situation," he stated upon his arrival. When asked why Stelzer was also present at the meeting, Stelzer said after the approximately one-hour discussion that it was now about showing that there is great unity within the ÖVP and that they are very aware of the seriousness of the situation. When asked if he would be present at the talks more often now, he merely pointed out that it was now up to the Federal President. Stocker also emphasized only the urgency of progress afterwards.

SPÖ Presidium Meets

SPÖ leader Babler sought advice from the party presidium before his meeting with the Federal President, which convened in the afternoon in Parliament. Most participants preferred to enter the meeting room through a back entrance. Women's leader Eva Maria Holzleitner, however, dismissed rumors that Babler could be replaced as chief negotiator. He would, of course, remain in this role as party leader. The representative for Styria in the presidium is Member of Parliament Jörg Leichtfried. He now wishes for "a stronger role of Parliament." ÖGB leader Wolfgang Katzian did not want to disclose to his party colleagues before the meeting where his ideas were heading.

It is established that the SPÖ is ready for negotiations with the ÖVP and that Babler will also lead them. However, the role of the Vienna state party is to be significantly enhanced. The third National Council President Doris Bures, who is currently on official duty in the USA, is a potential candidate for this. The Social Democrats are available for different variants. However, a two-party collaboration with the ÖVP, supplemented by thematic partnerships with other parties to secure the razor-thin majority of just one mandate, was considered more likely recently. Babler himself will comment after the presidium.

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(APA/Red)

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