What Kickl is planning now

No government mandate: Now the FPÖ leader speaks

No government mandate for the time being: FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl

(Bild: APA/MAX SLOVENCIK)

On Wednesday, Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen did not issue a mandate to form a government for the time being. He expects the leaders of the three parties with the most votes, the FPÖ, ÖVP and SPÖ, to "reliably clarify what kind of cooperation would be conceivable". This afternoon, FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl commented on this for the first time. However, anyone expecting an all-out attack was mistaken. 

Contrary to what many observers had expected, Kickl did not say a bad word about the head of state in his first statement. - Or about the other party leaders.

Kickl wants a "stable government based on the will of the voters" 
Instead, the FPÖ leader announced via a press release that he would hold talks in implementation of the election results of September 29 and in the interests of the population "in order to form a stable federal government based on the will of the voters".

Kickl is now seeking talks with Nehammer and Babler
The blue front man and his party friends had followed the Federal President's statement with great interest. Kickl: "As the federal party leader of the party with the most votes and the clear winner of the election, the FPÖ, I will therefore coordinate meetings with the leaders of the second-placed ÖVP and the third-placed SPÖ."

I will coordinate meetings with the representatives of the second-placed ÖVP and the third-placed SPÖ.

FPÖ-Chef Herbert Kickl 

The FPÖ leader added that he had not yet taken this step out of consideration for the practices in the run-up to the formation of past governments.

As federal party leader of the party with the most votes, Herbert Kickl has now announced talks with Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) and Andreas Babler (SPÖ).

(Bild: APA/MAX SLOVENCIK)

Blue state leaders sharply criticize VdB 
Clear criticism, however, came from the Tyrolean FPÖ. Van der Bellen was "clearly not acting as an independent Federal President. He is playing for time," wrote regional party leader Markus Abwerzger on X.

Vorarlberg's FPÖ leader Christof Bitschi also expressed his dissatisfaction: "There was one party in the National Council elections that clearly became the strongest party. We expected the Federal President to give us this government mandate," he stated. He added that they would first wait for the Vorarlberg state elections on Sunday (October 13). Bitschi told ORF Radio Vorarlberg that he was certain that next week there would also be "an attempt to form a coalition against the Freedom Party".

Van der Bellen gives party leaders until the end of next week
Van der Bellen is giving the three party leaders Herbert Kickl (FPÖ), Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) and Andreas Babler (SPÖ) until the end of next week to hold their talks. The Federal President then wants to invite them to hear the outcome of the talks. 

"Unusual case"
Although it is customary for the leader of the party with the most votes to be tasked with forming a government, this is not enshrined in the constitution. Van der Bellen justified the need for a new approach by stating that an "unusual case" had arisen - namely that the FPÖ had won the election and none of the other parties apparently wanted to govern with them: "Ladies and gentlemen, a classic stalemate."

Babler willing to talk, but rules out coalition with FPÖ
"Of course I respect the mandate of Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and am ready for talks with Karl Nehammer and Herbert Kickl. We will coordinate the next steps," wrote SPÖ leader Andreas Babler on X. At the same time, he emphasized: "A coalition with the FPÖ is out of the question."

The ÖVP initially made no statement, and no statements are currently planned.