The "Krone" analyzes

Will there be another government of experts in the fall?

The Bierlein cabinet after the inauguration by Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen in June 2019. Van der Bellen could pull this card again in the fall ...

(Bild: AFP)

The death of Austria's first female chancellor, Brigitte Bierlein, has reminded us of the high satisfaction ratings of the former government of experts. A successful model that could be used again in the hot fall after the National Council elections. 

If the forecasts for the National Council elections hold, the FPÖ could be in the lead on election night on September 29, a party that nobody wants to form a coalition with. It could therefore take several months before a coalition capable of winning a majority is formed. Experts could "play a role again", said former Federal President Heinz Fischer in the "Krone" podcast "Super Election Year".

Time is of the essence in October
Because a number of decisions are due to be made in the fall, which will create a certain amount of time pressure. "A draft budget will have to be presented in October, and the decision on the EU Commissioner is also pending. Time is pressing. We could also think about involving experts," says Heinz Fischer. His ulterior motive: a government involving experts and all parties would make it easier to find majorities.

For example, the appointment of the EU Commissioner requires a majority in the main committee in Parliament. It is quite possible that it will also take longer to agree on the Commission President in Brussels and that the new Commission will not be formed until the fall. 

As a transitional government, the Greens and the ÖVP will no longer have a majority as soon as the new National Council is constituted - which must be no later than 30 days after the election. Finding majorities in parliament in this constellation will be a complex matter.

Thelast time the situation was this messed up was in 2006
The last time the situation was this messed up was in 2006, when the ÖVP and BZÖ did not have a majority for the duration of the government negotiations. If Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen sees that only blockade dominates everyday political life, he could pull this card and install a short-term government of experts to minimize emotions on the political stage. The constitution gives the Federal President this power. 

However, there is talk from the Hofburg that Van der Bellen will do everything in his power to quickly get a governing majority on track.