Coalition Negotiations: Dispute Over Department Allocation

Clarity on whether the negotiations will continue or be broken off should be provided by Thursday at the latest. On this day, according to APA information, a meeting between FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl and Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen is scheduled.

Small Meeting with Leaders of FPÖ and ÖVP

On Tuesday, a small meeting with the party leaders took place to discuss unresolved substantial issues - but relatively quickly, the discussion turned to the distribution of ministries. The FPÖ is claiming ministries that are also particularly important to the ÖVP.

The Blues want the Ministry of the Interior with the areas of security and asylum, as well as the powerful Ministry of Finance, in addition to the media and cultural agendas in the Chancellery and also the European agendas. "That doesn't work for the ÖVP," it was said from turquoise negotiating circles. Reportedly, they parted ways somewhat angrily on Tuesday afternoon. The ÖVP spoke of a "difficult phase." Both sides denied a breakdown of the negotiations, as newspapers had temporarily headlined - negotiations will continue on Wednesday, including the subgroups on social affairs and agriculture.

In any case, Stocker consulted with a party board that was convened at short notice on Tuesday evening. There, the party chairman was strengthened in his negotiation guidelines - Austria as a reliable partner in the EU, protecting the rule of law and liberal democracy, and preventing foreign influence - it was said from the ÖVP. These principles of the People's Party should also be reflected in the distribution of ministries, it was agreed.

Failure of Coalition Negotiations?

In the FPÖ, they were waiting on Wednesday for a response from the negotiation partner regarding the proposed list. They also wanted to discuss the further course of action. Time is certainly pressing: Kickl is supposed to report to Federal President Van der Bellen on Thursday - actually regularly. Nevertheless, the pressure is likely to be high to report on successes. However, it is also possible that the FPÖ leader will report to the head of state about the failure of the talks, which could lead to a new election. There was no confirmation of the appointment from the Hofburg for the time being.

Bank Levy, ORF, Sky Shield

There still seems to be no movement from either side regarding the bank levy demanded by the Freedom Party. The turquoise economic wing is also likely to oppose a financial contribution from the chambers to budget consolidation. Additional points of contention include the FPÖ's desired abolition of the ORF household levy, the Sky Shield missile defense system, and a common line on European policy.

Another sticking point in the substantive negotiations is the future strategy for combating anti-Semitism. Here, former National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka (ÖVP) is said to insist on the Holocaust center desired by the Jewish Community of Vienna (IKG).

One project that is likely to be off the table is the national stadium promised by the ÖVP during the election campaign. Former Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) had set its construction as a goal by 2030. According to APA information, both sides are said to agree that this project is currently not financially feasible.

(APA/Red)

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