FPÖ and ÖVP negotiate

Blue-Black: Stocker wants to accept Kickl’s offer

The new ÖVP leader Christian Stocker accepted the FPÖ's invitation to talks on Wednesday.

(Bild: APA/picturedesk.com/Helmut Fohringer)

The first blue-black federal government is at the doorstep. After blue party leader Herbert Kickl gave the green light for negotiations with the ÖVP on Tuesday, Christian Stocker has now made his first statement. The ÖVP leader declared on Wednesday that he wanted to talk to Kickl, but made a clear commitment to the EU and the fight against National Socialism. The first meeting between the party leaders took place in the afternoon. 

The negotiations between the FPÖ and ÖVP continue to gather pace. After Freedom Party Chairman Herbert Kickl had already extended an invitation to his counterpart, Christian Stocker, following the blue presidency the day before, the two parties held their first meeting on Wednesday evening.

"Confidentiality agreed"
Neither the FPÖ nor the ÖVP wanted to comment on the content of the meeting afterwards. Confidentiality had been agreed, according to the FPÖ.

Substantive negotiations from Friday
Stocker confirmed in an initial statement in the afternoon that he had "cooled down" and was ready for talks with Kickl. The first substantive negotiations are apparently already planned for Friday, when the steering groups of both parties could meet.

The new ÖVP leader Christian Stocker

(Bild: APA/picturedesk.com/Helmut Fohringer)

"Partnership instead of isolation"
In his statement, Stocker also explained that Austria's sovereignty must be preserved, European interests bundled and cooperation forged. What is needed is partnership instead of isolation and a remembrance of our own history and the fight against National Socialism. For the ÖVP, it is clear that we need a democracy that can withstand threats such as foreign influence, terrorism and war. 

Party leaders want to be honest
Stocker wants "honest statements" on these conditions in the talks with Kickl. Kickl has already declared in advance that he wants to "govern Austria honestly".

Stocker: "Now it's time to decide: Should this country go to new elections or not? I am not afraid of elections, but I believe that it would be better for the country otherwise." This is the sole reason why he will now hold talks with Herbert Kickl.

The FPÖ must answer honestly whether Austria should be a constructive and reliable part of the EU, whether it should be oriented towards the free world or dictatorship and whether it should put the state as a whole above party interests.

Der neue ÖVP-Chef Christian Stocker

Sky Shield" as a bone of contention
When asked whether Austria - as demanded by the FPÖ - could withdraw from the Sky Shield defense project, the managing ÖVP chairman said that national defense had to be taken seriously. Everything else would be discussed with the FPÖ "if it comes to that".

Talks with Kickl due to changed political situation
Stocker also emphasized that the ÖVP had actually tried to form a three-party coalition with the SPÖ and NEOS, but that this had failed. The fact that Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen had tasked Kickl with forming a government had led to a new political situation in the country, he said, explaining why he had agreed to meet with Kickl.

Stocker rejects minority government
He also spoke out against new elections. According to Stocker, a minority government of ÖVP and NEOS, which ÖVP MEP Lukas Mandl had brought into play, would not have a parliamentary majority to support it.

Who will negotiate for the ÖVP?
Unlike the Freedom Party, the ÖVP did not want to announce the team with which it will enter the negotiations on Wednesday. "There will be a negotiating team when there are coalition negotiations," the party said.

It is to be expected that outgoing Chancellor Karl Nehammer and Karoline Edtstadler, who has announced her retirement from politics, will no longer be part of the current negotiating team. However, Stocker, parliamentary group chairman August Wöginger, Claudia Plakolm and the president of the Chamber of Commerce and head of the Federation of Austrian Chambers of Commerce Harald Mahrer are likely to remain.