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 carried out in 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 resolved at the chief negotiator level, the ÖVP insisted on clarifying the distribution of departments. On February 4th, the Freedom Party presented a corresponding draft: "Although we accommodated the ÖVP in many points in the subsequent discussions, unfortunately, the negotiations were ultimately not successful."

What Happens Next?

The ÖVP sees the situation completely differently, with Alexander Pröll, the first General Secretary, issuing a statement. This government formation failed "due to the power frenzy and intransigence of Herbert Kickl." The FPÖ leader remained stuck in the role of an opposition politician and never arrived in the role 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 negotiation 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, writes Pröll.

A statement from the Federal President is still expected today on how things will proceed now that, following the former ÖVP chairman Karl Nehammer, Kickl has also failed in forming 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 conference.

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.