Austria is on the verge of establishing its first three-party coalition government after months of challenging negotiations. The conservative ÖVP, the social-democratic SPÖ, and the liberal Neos have agreed to work together to form a new administration, marking a unique and significant moment in Austrian politics.
The coalition, termed "Jetzt das Richtige tun. Für Österreich"—meaning "Now Do the Right Thing. For Austria"—is set to be presented at a press conference scheduled for 11 AM, where the specifics of governance are expected to be outlined.
After about 150 days of stalemate since the parliamentary elections, it seems Austria is ready to take decisive steps forward. The negotiations underscored the political turmoil following the FPÖ's win, which had shaken the foundations of traditional party alliances.
Christian Stocker, head of the ÖVP, is poised to become the Chancellor, with Andreas Babler of the SPÖ taking on the role of Deputy Chancellor. Their appointments could be confirmed as early as Monday, provided they receive the final approvals from their respective parties. Notably, the Neos will require their members to approve the coalition proposal during a vote scheduled for Sunday.
This coalition formation becomes even more remarkable considering the tumultuous backdrop comprising two failed attempts at establishing governance. The first effort to form what many hoped would be a center-coalition to counter the right-wing FPÖ's rise failed when the Neos withdrew from negotiations back in January.
Following this, President Alexander Van der Bellen tasked the FPÖ’s Herbert Kickl with the responsibility of forming the government. Kickl aimed for the role of "Volkskanzler"—a term historically associated with nationalism. His attempts also crumbled, primarily due to ideological divides over EU policies and foreign relations, as the FPÖ's positions clashed with the pro-European stances held by ÖVP and SPÖ.
Faced with pressure from economic hardships and mounting public discontent related to high budget deficits, the ÖVP and SPÖ agreed to resume talks. The initial discussions revolved around addressing financial stability through austerity measures and formulating budgets for 2025 and 2026.
During this protracted period of political instability, concerns over the economic outlook have escalated. The incoming government is expected to tackle pressing fiscal matters, which have been exacerbated by rising inflation and sluggish economic growth. Analysts are particularly focused on how the new coalition plans to reconcile different party agendas, especially around immigration policy, which remains contentious.
The coalition’s necessity stems from the strongly polarized political climate where the FPÖ, having secured nearly 29% of the votes, emerged as the leading power. Despite its electoral success, other significant parties refrained from forming alliances with the FPÖ, signaling resistance against right-wing populism.
“We have to focus on what is right for Austria,” stated ÖVP spokesman as he shared hopes for the new coalition to not only stabilize political dynamics but also forge progressive policies addressing social equality and economic reform.
By embarking on this new legislative path, Austria demonstrates its commitment to governance stability and political collaboration amid diverging party ideologies. The transition to this tripartite coalition is not only historic for the country but it also aims to revive public faith in political institutions—an aim particularly relevant against the backdrop of the recent global challenges.
With new leadership set to take the mantle starting next week, many are watching to see how ÖVP, SPÖ, and Neos will manage to govern effectively within their diverse political spectrum.