Austrian parties agree on a government without the far right

Three Austrian political parties have agreed to form a coalition government that will not include the far-right Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ), which won the most votes in the September elections. This was reported by the Austrian APA news agency.

The conservative Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP), the Social Democratic Party (SPÖ) and the liberal NEOS party agreed on a three-party coalition at the second attempt.

The more than 200-page program entitled “Doing the Right Thing Now. For Austria”, which APA received in draft form, emphasizes the ‘consensus and pragmatism’ on which the agreement is based. The greatest progress for Austria has always been the result of “consensus, cooperation and trust”.

The document also mentions the failed negotiations between the ÖVP and the FPÖ: “While others refuse to cooperate and shirk responsibility, we reach agreement and the ability to act.” Now it is not about party political interests, but “about all of us, about Austria, about the nine million people in our country.”

They plan to announce strict measures in the field of asylum and immigration. Family reunification is to be stopped “immediately”, at least temporarily, and a ban on headscarves for minors is also planned.

The program also includes measures in the field of housing lease law, in particular, an increase in the minimum term of lease agreements to five years.

As announced, the budget will be consolidated in accordance with EU fiscal rules to prevent a deficit. Due to “current economic challenges,” the new federal government plans to consolidate the budget over the next seven years.

A dual budget and a new federal financial system are also to be adopted quickly. As already announced, the plans include a package of measures for 2025 worth more than 6.3 billion euros and for 2026 – 8.7 billion euros.

The distribution of ministerial positions will probably remain unclear for now. The matter will be decided between the parties in the coming days.

The parties will involve their respective committees in nominating candidates. In particular, the SPÖ will probably still have to discuss this issue, as there are differences of opinion between SPÖ leader Andreas Babler and Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig, for example, regarding the appointment of the Minister of Finance.

The swearing-in of the new federal government could still take place next Monday. The precondition for the ceremony is that the party committees give the green light to the coalition pact.

NEOS still has to overcome the biggest internal party hurdle, as the final decision on the party will be made at a meeting of its members on Sunday. A two-thirds majority is required to pass a coalition agreement.

The ÖVP and SPÖ together have a majority of only one seat in the lower house of parliament, which is considered too small to be viable, so the decision was made to bring in a smaller party.