Blue-Black stalemate

Kickl accuses ÖVP of mistakes, insists on portfolios

Kickl does not want to give in in the power poker with the ÖVP - the mood remains in the cellar.

(Bild: MAX SLOVENCIK)

There is still no white smoke surrounding the coalition negotiations between the FPÖ and ÖVP. As reported, there is likely to have been a negotiation stalemate over the division of portfolios, but talks are still continuing. Talks are now taking place in the Hofburg and the FPÖ leader is now going on the offensive.

The coalition negotiations between the FPÖ and ÖVP continue to be difficult. It should be clear by Thursday at the latest whether the negotiations will be continued or broken off - that is when Kickl is scheduled to meet with the Federal President. ÖVP leader Christian Stocker is expected at the Hofburg on Wednesday (5 pm). In addition to differences of opinion on content, the division of portfolios is now also being discussed.

On Tuesday, a small group of party leaders met to discuss unresolved issues - but the division of ministries is said to have been discussed relatively quickly. The FPÖ is claiming portfolios that are also particularly important to the ÖVP.

The start to a possible government is already extremely bumpy for the blue-black coalition.

(Bild: HELMUT FOHRINGER)

ÖVP speaks of "difficult phase"
The blue party wants the Ministry of the Interior with the areas of security and asylum, as well as the powerful Ministry of Finance, the media and culture agendas in the Chancellery and the European agendas. "This is not an option for the ÖVP", according to Turkish negotiating circles.

According to reports, they parted somewhat angrily late on Tuesday afternoon. The ÖVP spoke of a "difficult phase". Both sides denied that the negotiations had been broken off, as newspapers had reported in the meantime - negotiations will continue on Wednesday, for example in the subgroups on social affairs and agriculture.

ÖVP tries to save face
In any case, Stocker consulted with a party committee convened at short notice on Tuesday evening. According to the ÖVP, the party leader was confirmed in his negotiating guidelines - Austria as a reliable partner in the EU, protecting the rule of law and liberal democracy and preventing foreign influence. It was agreed that these principles of the People's Party should also be reflected in the allocation of portfolios.

Kickl underpins claim to leadership
On Wednesday, the FPÖ was waiting for an answer from its negotiating partner regarding the proposed list. They also wanted to discuss the next steps. In the afternoon, Kickl underlined his party's claim to the leadership of both the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of the Interior in a Facebook post.

It was not about "posts and power". Rather, what is needed is an "honest fight against inflation", the Austrians want "a proper and honest budget instead of a mountain of debt" - and "an honest migration and security policy that finally makes it clear again that Austria is master in its own house".

"If we are responsible for results, ..."
A good minister is "just like a good chancellor, only a tool, an instrument, a servant" and "a means to implement the will of the Austrians in very specific political areas". "That is why it is important to us that we have responsibility for the finances and the national budget," emphasized Kickl. After all, it was the last finance ministers "who were responsible for this budget with billions in debt. There can be no 'business as usual'."

The FPÖ also wants a change of course in terms of security policy and asylum policy. "If we are responsible for the results, then we must also be the ones who have the opportunity to shape this course and implement it step by step. That's why the Ministry of the Interior is important."

ÖVP general tries to calm the waves
Meanwhile, the ÖVP emphasized in a message on X (formerly Twitter) that there was a "clear announcement from our Secretary General" Alexander Pröll that the People's Party would continue to conduct "coalition negotiations at eye level" - with the aim of "quickly having a government capable of acting for Austria". He believes that people now want "a government capable of acting as quickly as possible". "We are working on that. Open-ended, of course."

The meeting in the Hofburg was actually scheduled as a regular meeting - now it is likely to turn into a crisis meeting.

(Bild: Imre Antal)

In any case, time is pressing: Kickl is due to report to Federal President Van der Bellen on Thursday - actually as scheduled. Nevertheless, the pressure to report on successes is likely to be great. However, it is also possible that the FPÖ leader will report to the head of state on the failure of the talks, which could lead to a new election. The Hofburg has not yet confirmed the date.

Big chunks still set to "red"
The allocation of posts is not the only open point in the negotiations. Rather, key points in the subgroups have been set to "red", particularly those relating to foreign policy and the media, but also in some areas such as finance and taxes. These unresolved issues are to be dealt with by the chief negotiators, but no real progress has been made so far.

There is still no movement from either side on the bank levy demanded by the Freedom Party. The Turkish economic wing is also likely to oppose a financial contribution by the chambers to the budget restructuring. There are also other points of contention such as the abolition of the ORF budget levy, which the FPÖ wants, the Sky Shield missile defense system and a common line on European policy.

ÖVP prestige project already off the table
Another sticking point in the substantive negotiations is the future strategy for combating anti-Semitism. Here, former National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka (ÖVP) is said to be insisting on the Holocaust Center desired by the Jewish Community of Vienna (IKG).

One project that is likely to be off the table for good is the national stadium promised by the ÖVP during the election campaign. Former Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) had set the target of building it by 2030. Both sides are said to agree that this project cannot be financed at present.