Austrian center-right, Social Democrats begin coalition talks after far-right election win

By Askin Kiyagan

VIENNA (AA) – Nearly a month after Austria’s Sept. 29 general election, in which the far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPO) claimed victory, the center-right Austrian People's Party (OVP) and the Social Democratic Party (SPO) met Friday to begin coalition negotiations.

OVP Chairman and Chancellor Karl Nehammer described the talks with the SPO, which finished second in the election, as serious and focused on open dialogue. Nehammer emphasized that both parties’ delegations were committed to an approach that considers the interests of all voters, not just party bases, with a focus on finding solutions that prevent extremist groups from gaining power.

Nehammer addressed criticism over Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen’s decision to grant the mandate to the OVP instead of the FPO, saying that no parties were willing to join a coalition led by FPO leader Herbert Kickl, who was unable to secure potential partners.

He said coalition discussions aimed to serve all Austrians, stressing the need for a broad, solution-oriented approach.

In response to a planned Nov. 9 protest by far-right and racist groups opposing the exclusion of the FPO from government, Nehammer highlighted the significance of that date. Nov. 9 marks the anniversary of “Kristallnacht” (the November Pogrom) in 1938, a day memorialized as a reminder of Nazi violence against Jewish communities in Germany and Austria.

Following the first meeting between the OVP and SPO delegations, further statements from both party leaders are expected.

- Far-right FPO wins election but is denied government formation mandate

The Sept. 29 election saw the far-right FPO secure 28.85% of the vote, but other parties in parliament declined to join a coalition with them, leading to a political deadlock.

Around 10 days after the election, President Van der Bellen met with leaders of Austria’s major parties, urging them to work together to break the impasse. On Oct. 22, he announced that no party was willing to partner with the FPO, leading him to assign the government formation mandate to OVP leader Nehammer.