Austrian Parties Move to Full-Scale Coalition Talks After ‘Sounding Out’ Phase

Vienna, – Austria’s three main political parties have agreed to enter full-scale coalition negotiations after completing the “sounding out” phase, announced Chancellor Karl Nehammer on Monday. Nehammer, leader of the People’s Party (OVP), will attempt to form a coalition with the Social Democrats (SPO) and the liberal Neos, excluding the far-right Freedom Party (FPO) despite its victory in September’s parliamentary elections.

The FPO, which secured around 29% of the vote, would have needed a coalition partner to form a majority in parliament. However, no alliance was formed, leading President Alexander Van der Bellen to appoint Nehammer to try to build a government without the far-right party. The move marks the potential for Austria’s first three-way coalition since the country regained independence in 1955.