Negotiations collapsed

Babler on the end: “We could still have sorted it out”

SPÖ leader Andreas Babler

(Bild: APA/Max Slovencik)

On Saturday evening, SPÖ leader Andreas Babler commented on the collapse of the government negotiations with the ÖVP. His party had been willing to compromise and had offered to negotiate through at the weekend. Babler emphasized that it was the ÖVP that failed, not Chancellor Nehammer (see video above). He also made it clear on "ZiB 2" that he was not thinking of resigning.

In "ZiB2", Babler emphasized that he had not insisted on wealth tax and inheritance tax in the negotiations, even if he considered both to be sensible concepts. Alternatives in terms of asset growth, including a bank levy, would apparently have been feasible for the SPÖ.

Babler now assumes FPÖ-ÖVP coalition 
Babler did not want to say what will happen now, even if he assumes a blue-turquoise coalition, which would be "grossly negligent" for the country. The next steps would be up to the Federal President, with whom he had already spoken.

Babler wants to be red top candidate again in new elections
Babler will not follow Nehammer's approach: The SPÖ leader is not thinking of resigning. Should there be new elections, he expects to be the top candidate again.

Babler on Aus: "We could have sorted it out"
"Thanks to Karl Nehammer, he understood," emphasized Babler. A sign of sympathy that the Chancellor did not reciprocate at his farewell: he spoke of "destructive forces" in the SPÖ. According to Babler, the differences could still have been resolved. In a press statement on Saturday evening, he cited inheritance and wealth taxes as an example. Alternatives were also conceivable for his party. In addition, progress had been made in recent weeks in areas such as integration, education and the labor market.

The wing that flirted with the blue party from the outset has prevailed.

Babler zeigt sich enttäuscht.

"Flirting with the blues"
This time should not have been in vain. In principle, negotiations cannot be a one-way street, said the SPÖ leader. Chancellor Karl Nehammer had also understood this and had sensed his willingness to talk. Ultimately, however, the wing of the party that wanted to continue as before and was flirting with the blue party had prevailed. When asked, Chamber of Commerce President Harald Mahrer and Member of Parliament Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer were named as Nehammer's successor.

Babler understands the disappointment
What was needed was national responsibility and not "party tactics". In any case, the SPÖ had negotiated with all its energy. The new government should have faced up to challenges such as the recession quickly. The previous government had left a record deficit and the budget had to be restructured.

According to Babler, his party had therefore also considered new revenues, but these had to be fair for the people. Unfortunately, the ÖVP had not been prepared to make the budget fair. The politician admitted that he understood the disappointment of the citizens. After all, he himself was disappointed about the failed negotiations.

As reported, Chancellor Nehammer broke off the government negotiations with the SPÖ on Saturday evening. He even resigned from his functions. The NEOS had previously pulled out of the negotiations on Friday.

It was initially unclear what would happen next. Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen wants to take further steps on Sunday. "The SPÖ will continue to be a strong voice for social policy, because we know what is now threatening: blue-black and thus a far-right chancellor," said Babler.