"Hand outstretched"

NEOS drop out: Chancellor Nehammer speaks now

Will ÖVP leader Karl Nehammer and SPÖ leader find common ground? Both were at least "willing to negotiate" on Friday evening.

(Bild: Krone KREATIV/APA/HELMUT FOHRINGER, APA/GEORG HOCHMUTH)

Following the withdrawal of the NEOS from the coalition negotiations, ÖVP leader Karl Nehammer and SPÖ leader Andreas (each separately) spoke out on Friday evening. Their parties want to continue to take responsibility and continue the negotiations without the Pinks. "The hand is outstretched", emphasized Babler in the direction of the incumbent Federal Chancellor. 

In a video on X (see below), Nehammer expressed his deep regret at the NEOS' move. "I am of the opinion that cooperation between the forces of the political center is needed, especially in these challenging times, because there is a lot at stake for Austria," emphasized the ÖVP leader.

Nehammer did not say what form the negotiations would now take. However, the party is "prepared to take responsibility" and has "the courage to tackle political reforms and do what is necessary". He then outlined the ÖVP's positions and called on "the constructive forces of the political center to walk this path with us".

Will ÖVP leader Karl Nehammer and SPÖ leader find common ground? Both were at least "willing to negotiate" on Friday evening.

(Bild: Krone KREATIV/APA/HELMUT FOHRINGER, APA/GEORG HOCHMUTH)

Nehammer was not any clearer - although the wording could probably be interpreted as an insistence on rejecting the FPÖ. The guidelines he formulated included "a policy that strengthens the location and competitiveness and creates jobs".

In terms of asylum and integration policy, he demanded that people who come to Austria must adapt. "Anyone who breaks our rules must bear the consequences. Anyone who has no right to be here must leave the country." Work must also be worthwhile - those people who perform well must be supported and relieved of the burden.

What is important now is a policy that strengthens the location and creates jobs. I stand for a clear and consistent asylum and migration policy.

Karl Nehammer, Bundeskanzler und ÖVP-Chef

Backing for Nehammer in the ÖVP executive committee
The ÖVP party executive had already met earlier. Although there was no formal vote on Nehammer in the executive committee, the party leader's "backing" was "strengthened" by requests to speak, it was reported after the meeting. This did not seem to be a matter of course, as the party's business wing in particular has been seething for weeks, where skepticism towards a coalition with Babler's SPÖ is at its highest.

Babler: "Our hand remains outstretched"
Babler said after the party presidium on Friday evening (see video below) that the ball is now in Nehammer's court to accept the SPÖ's willingness to negotiate on an equal footing. However, the Social Democrats would not tolerate parallel negotiations between the ÖVP and the Freedom Party.

It was now up to Nehammer to accept the SPÖ's willingness to negotiate on an equal footing.

SPÖ-Chef Andreas Babler

Babler sharply criticizes NEOS
Babler, who was surrounded by co-negotiators, sharply criticized the NEOS. They had put party tactics before the interests of the state. Their "very sudden" exit came as a surprise to him. After all, they were on the right track and close to bringing the negotiations to a positive conclusion. The remaining hurdles could still have been cleared.

Ludwig wants to continue negotiations
Vienna's Mayor Michael Ludwig also spoke out in favor of continuing negotiations. In difficult times, it is important to take responsibility, he argued in a press release in favor of SPÖ government participation. Now it is important to form a "viable federal government with the participation of the Social Democrats" as soon as possible. We do not want to wake up to a "blue-black, gloomy future", he continued.

FSG leader also appeals
FSG leader Josef Muchitsch also appealed to the ÖVP to continue negotiations and accept the SPÖ's outstretched hand. The SPÖ had nothing to gain in view of the budget responsibility, but out of responsibility for Austria they were prepared to do so and would remain so.

NEOS leader Beate Meinl-Reisinger had explained in the morning during her last-minute press appearance that she had informed Nehammer and Babler as well as Federal President Van der Bellen of the decision to leave the negotiations on Friday morning. This was preceded by the realization that no breakthrough could be achieved with "black-red". Fundamental reforms had been rejected several times this week.