Austria’s chancellor to quit as coalition talks collapse
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Austria's Chancellor, Karl Nehammer, announced he would resign in the "coming days" following the collapse of coalition negotiations. © Ludovic MARIN / AFP
Austria’s Chancellor Karl Nehammer has announced his decision to resign both as the country’s leader and as head of the conservative People’s Party (ÖVP), following the collapse of coalition talks aimed at forming a new government. Negotiations between his party and the Social Democrats hit an impasse, with both sides failing to reach an agreement on key issues.
The liberal Neos party, which was also involved in the coalition talks, withdrew from discussions on Friday, further complicating the process. The breakdown in talks follows Austria’s general election in September, where the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) achieved a historic victory. Despite their success, other political factions have ruled out forming a coalition with the FPÖ, led by Herbert Kickl. The collapse of the negotiations leaves two possibilities: the ÖVP could opt to form a coalition with the FPÖ, or the country could face another general election.
The FPÖ, which has previously been part of a ruling coalition, could stand to benefit from another election. Opinion polls suggest the party’s popularity has only grown since the September vote. The FPÖ has expressed frustration over the stalled coalition talks, stating that “three months have been lost” and accusing the other parties of creating chaos instead of achieving stability. The far-right party also called for the resignation of Social Democrat leader Andreas Babler and criticized President Alexander Van der Bellen, holding him partially responsible for the deadlock and the wasted time.
In the September election, the FPÖ emerged as the top party with nearly 29% of the vote, followed by the People’s Party with 26.3%, and the Social Democrats securing 21%. The election, marked by a turnout of 77.3%, was heavily focused on pressing issues such as migration, asylum policy, economic challenges, and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The FPÖ, under Kickl’s leadership, campaigned on a platform of nationalism, promising to build a “Fortress Austria” that would prioritize the security and prosperity of Austrians. The party has advocated for strict immigration rules and has promoted the controversial concept of “remigration,” which would involve sending asylum seekers back to their countries of origin.
The FPÖ, founded in the 1950s by former Nazis, has faced significant scrutiny for its past, including incidents like the controversial appearance of some of its candidates at a funeral where an SS song was sung. The party later denied any connection between the song, which dates back to 1814, and National Socialist ideology.
As the political crisis continues in Austria, the future remains uncertain. Chancellor Nehammer’s resignation marks a major shift in the country’s political landscape, and it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold, particularly if the ÖVP decides to enter into a coalition with the far-right or if a new election becomes necessary. The collapse of the coalition talks underscores the deep divides in Austrian politics, particularly around issues of immigration and national identity.
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