Talks ended

Meinl-Reisinger & Kogler with Van der Bellen today

(Bild: APA/Roland Schlager)

As part of his talks with the leaders of the five parliamentary parties, Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen received NEOS leader Beate Meinl-Reisinger in the Hofburg on Tuesday morning and Vice-Chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens) in the early afternoon.

The talks have gone "very well" so far, said Van der Bellen. For the time being, the Federal President did not reveal how he intends to proceed after the end of the round of talks.

After her meeting, Meinl-Reisinger was more forthcoming than the party leaders from the FPÖ, ÖVP and SPÖ who had been received in the Hofburg before her in recent days. The exchange with the Federal President was driven by "a view of the future, but also concern", particularly with regard to the economic and associated budgetary situation, the NEOS leader told the waiting media representatives after the 80-minute meeting.

(Bild: APA/Roland Schlager)

NEOS invite parties to "reform talks"
She reiterated her fundamental willingness to "work on reforms in a future-oriented and energetic manner and to enter into corresponding talks with the SPÖ and ÖVP", she explained. Meinl-Reisinger also wants to hold reform talks with all parties. This is because many of the reforms she believes are necessary require a two-thirds majority in parliament, which is why she has invited all parties to "reform talks". According to NEOS, there are no specific dates for this yet.

Once the round of talks has been concluded, Van der Bellen wants to make a public statement on the next steps. It remains to be seen exactly when this will happen. It is eagerly awaited whether and to whom the Federal President will give a mandate to form a government.

Starting position complicated this time
An official mandate is not stipulated in the constitution, but is common practice and is usually given to the leader of the party with the most votes. However, the starting position is particularly complicated this time, as none of the other parties want to form a coalition with the FPÖ under Kickl.

Therefore, one of the two smaller parties could play an important role in forming a government this time. If the ÖVP and SPÖ agree on a coalition, they are expected to bring a third partner on board to secure their narrow majority in the National Council - with only one mandate overhang.

On Friday, Van der Bellen met with FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl for a one-hour one-on-one meeting, on Monday he met ÖVP chairman Karl Nehammer and SPÖ leader Andreas Babler in the Hofburg. As with Van der Bellen's exchange with Kickl, the talks lasted around 1.5 hours each. When asked how things were going so far, the Federal President said "great".