FPÖ State Parties Optimistic Ahead of Coalition Negotiations Start

Markus Abwerzger from Tyrol generally expressed a positive attitude towards the upcoming negotiations with the ÖVP. "I am still skeptical, but also optimistic," Abwerzger told the APA: "I assume that the ÖVP has recognized the signs of the times." Christof Bitschi from Vorarlberg expressed the view that "things can move in a positive direction".

Before the Start of Coalition Negotiations: Abwerzger in Good Spirits - Bitschi Hopes for a "Positive Direction"

Abwerzger said that he has received "many positive voices" from the Tyrolean ÖVP regarding a coalition with the Freedom Party under Herbert Kickl. He fully supports the press statement of his federal party chairman: "It was refreshing. I really blossomed." It's about the ÖVP making it clear that they can be trusted. And that they deserve the trust of the FPÖ: "We need honest, different governance." According to Abwerzger, who was on his way to the party presidency in Vienna, the negotiations "should not take too long": "If there is this basis of trust."

Vorarlberg's FPÖ state chairman and deputy governor Christof Bitschi said on Tuesday in the press foyer after the government meeting that the initial situation for the government negotiations is anything but easy, but so far he has the feeling "that things can move in a positive direction", just as he had in Vorarlberg - where a black-blue government has been ruling since autumn. If the negotiations fail, the only option would be new elections, warned Bitschi, the clear goal now is to quickly form a stable government. The various expectations have to be reconciled, the FPÖ will not "bend", including in terms of its Europe policy.

Wallner Still Critical of Kickl Before the Start of Coalition Negotiations

Bitschi's government partner, ÖVP Governor Markus Wallner, when asked about his previously always negative attitude towards Kickl, said: "Personal wishes are one thing, necessities another." It is now necessary to prevent "state crisis-like conditions". He is still critical of Kickl, but recognizes the mandate given for government formation and also the election result. From a federal chancellor, he expects the same as from a governor, which includes statesmanlike behavior, adherence to the rule of law, "a fundamentally pro-European attitude" and "reasonable language and manners".

Tyrol's black Chamber of Labour President Erwin Zangerl warned on Tuesday in the online edition of the "Tiroler Tageszeitung" that the ÖVP could slide into insignificance in a blue-black government. "In its role as a junior partner in the government with the FPÖ, it could play no role at all in the future," feared the black stalwart. Zangerl also sharply criticised both the SPÖ and the ÖVP because a joint government had not been formed. Both parties had "not subordinated their party egotisms to the necessities for forming a government" and knew that Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen would have no choice but to assign the task of forming a government to FPÖ federal party leader Herbert Kickl.

ÖVP EU Deputy Mandl Brings Minority Government into Play

ÖVP EU deputy Lukas Mandl, on the other hand, also wants to consider a minority government. As he explained in the Puls24 interview, one must "always think in alternatives and one alternative is certainly a minority government. This should also be considered, also by the Federal President." A minority government of ÖVP and NEOS could be supported by the Greens and SPÖ, or "possibly" also the FPÖ.

Doskozil Excited About "Role Change" of the FPÖ

The Burgenland Governor Hans Peter Doskozil (SPÖ) stated on Tuesday on the sidelines of a press conference that the FPÖ now had to undergo a "role change" and could no longer merely criticise everything. Now it was about taking responsibility, especially in view of the challenges posed by the budget: "I am curious to see how they will defend and argue which burdens."

(APA/Red)

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