AUSTRIA: Far-Right Fail To Find Coalition Partners, ÖVP Called To Start Talks

President Alexander van der Bellen has asked the conservative Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) to start coalition talks, stating that the far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) that won a plurality of seats in the 29 Sep federal election failed to find a willing coalition partner. Van der Bellen says that the ÖVP, which came in second in the election, should hold talks with the third-placed centre-left Social Democrats (SPÖ). 

• The president also raises the issue of the stability of such a coalition. The ÖVP and SPÖ combined hold 92 seats in the 183-member National Council, directly on the line for a majority. As such, van der Bellen says that it 'needs to be clarified' whether the parties could command a stable majority 'or would need a third party as a coalition partner'.
• The ÖVP has worked with the Greens since 2020, and continues to do so in a caretaker capacity under Chancellor Karl Nehammer. However, relations between the two parties have deteriorated and the ÖVP may be unwilling to add the SPÖ to the mix for fear of the coalition tilting too far to the left. The liberal NEOS could be a preferred option.
• In any case, the FPÖ at present appears to be set for another period in opposition. This may not prove too detrimental, allowing the party to claim the political establishment is shutting them out despite winning most seats. 

Chart 1. Austrian National Council, Seats