Kickl and Stocker in Vienna's Hofburg: Coalition Negotiations in a Delicate Phase
In the coalition negotiations between FPÖ and ÖVP, Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen is now applying pressure. After inviting party leaders Herbert Kickl and Christian Stocker for talks at the Hofburg, he insisted on a quick clarification on whether a government collaboration is still possible. Previously, there had been sharp tones from the ranks of the ÖVP. Despite all differences, both parties agreed to continue the talks.
"If the negotiations had failed, then I believe you would have heard something to that effect either from us or from the ÖVP," said Kickl shortly before his visit to Van der Bellen to ORF. His visit to the Federal President had already been arranged the day before. It is customary for both negotiating partners to inform the President at regular intervals," the FPÖ leader saw nothing unusual in the visit to the head of state.
Shortly after the blue party leader left the Hofburg around 6 p.m., Stocker also arrived there. Before entering the presidential office, the ÖVP chairman briefly addressed the numerous media representatives. Once again, he emphasized the "policy paper" presented yesterday, which includes points on the rule of law and the EU, where there is still a need for discussion with the FPÖ, which he wanted to report to the Federal President. About an hour later, he left the Hofburg without a word.
Coalition Negotiations: Kickl Insists on Interior Ministry
"The Federal President met with the negotiating partners to be informed about the status of the government negotiations," confirmed the presidential office regarding the talks with the negotiating partners. Van der Bellen "asked both party leaders to quickly and definitively clarify whether the negotiations can be concluded," was the message.
Around noon, the chief negotiators of FPÖ and ÖVP met in parliament for an exchange. The conversation was "good" in a "good atmosphere," reported Kickl to ORF around 5 p.m. "Of course with clear positions": Because the "liberal intention to lead the Interior Ministry in the coming government is also nothing new," he insisted on his party's occupation of the interior department. The question of who will take the Interior Ministry is considered the main sticking point in the negotiations, and the ÖVP also insisted on this personnel decision until the end.
"We see our core competence reflected in this area of security, asylum, and migration policy. The asylum competence of the Austrian People's Party is then reflected in the form of EU Migration Commissioner Brunner," said Kickl.
The party leader arrived at the Hofburg around 5 p.m. accompanied by his confidant Reinhard Teufel - under massive police presence. "We are serious and at the same time aware that time is pressing and we have to push the pace - and we will do that," said a statement from the FPÖ to the APA.
Critical Notes from the ÖVP
Critical voices from within the ranks of the ÖVP increasingly cast doubt on a successful conclusion throughout the day. Economic Chamber Chief Harald Mahrer, as one of the key ÖVP negotiators, issued a warning to the FPÖ even before the talks began: "Anyone who is not willing to reach a consensus and is only in a power frenzy may not be fit to govern," he was quoted in the "Krone".
Lopatka: Agreement "Very Unlikely"
ÖVP-EU delegation leader Lopatka now considers an agreement on a coalition to be "very, very unlikely," he told the "Kleine Zeitung". He sees no willingness from the FPÖ for a pro-European change of direction: "There is little point in continuing." Criticism also came from the chairman of the Vienna People's Party, Karl Mahrer. Kickl must "finally become clear about what he wants - otherwise he will fail." In the afternoon, Senior Citizens' Association Chief Ingrid Korosec also stepped forward to criticize the FPÖ leader: "There is no willingness to compromise from Herbert Kickl. Therefore, a government collaboration with the FPÖ is hardly possible."
Lower Austria's ÖVP Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner addressed Kickl on Tuesday on the sidelines of a press conference in St. Pölten. "If I want to become Chancellor of this Republic, then that is also a very great responsibility. Associated with this responsibility is, of course, the ability to compromise and, above all, the ability to build bridges to create compromises and common approaches."
Already on the previous evening, the chief negotiators had sat down together again for the first time after days of disputes. The ÖVP handed the FPÖ a two-page document with "guidelines" that should be undisputed, such as a clear European positioning. The document titled "Establishing Common Guidelines Beyond Dispute" demands, among other things, that "one voice in Europe" be spoken. It also called for a clear condemnation of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and a commitment to Sky Shield.
(APA/Red)
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