Wallner & Bitschi

First one-on-one meeting lasted a good hour

FPÖ leader Christof Bitschi, club chairman of the largest opposition party in the Vorarlberg state parliament, has not been very sparing with his criticism over the past five years.

(Bild: APA/DIETMAR STIPLOVSEK)

In Vorarlberg, it has always been good form to invite the leaders of all parties represented in the state parliament to the governor's office before coalition talks begin. The hottest candidate for government office - Christof Bitschi from the FPÖ - kicked things off on Tuesday. 

The one-on-one meeting lasted a good hour, according to an initial meeting between Governor Markus Wallner (ÖVP) and FPÖ party leader Christof Bitschi. The governor would talk to everyone during the course of the day and announce on Wednesday with whom he would enter into negotiations. 

Wait and see with the FPÖ
"It was a very open exchange", said the Freedom Party after the meeting. No negotiations were held - even though the meeting lasted over an hour. Who would lead possible coalition negotiations alongside Bitschi would be announced if such negotiations were to take place. 

The ÖVP, which at under 40 percent is even further away from absolute victory than in the 2014 and 2019 elections, is dependent on a coalition partner. In addition to party leader Wallner, the negotiations will be led by state managing director Dietmar Wetz, state governor Barbara Schöbi-Fink and outgoing club chairman Roland Frühstück.