The head of the Austrian far-right has been tasked with forming the government

The President of the Republic of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen announced that he had given the leader of the FPOe, Herbert Kicklthe task of initiating consultations with the OeVP for the formation of a new government. “Our country needs a functioning federal government that must be solid and reliably have more than 50 percent of the seats in the National Council,” President Van der Bellen said in his speech from Hofburg, Vienna.

The president then referred to the failed previous consultations, first for a three-party solution – People’s Party (OeVP), Social Democrats (SPOe) and Neos liberals – then a two-party solution between the People’s Party and the Socialists. “You have experienced firsthand what opportunities have or have not opened up after the elections”, underlined the president while addressing the Austrians. “A collaboration between OeVP and SPOe and FPOe was categorically ruled out after the elections. The OeVP has gave up on a coalition with the Liberal Party (FPOe) under the leadership of Herbert Kickl after talks with the SPOe broke down,” he recalled.

“Today we asked the leader of the FPOe party, Herbert Kickl, to come to the Hofburg and discussed various topics and options,” he continued. Kickl, he reported, “is convinced that he can find workable solutions in the negotiations for the government. I have asked him to start talks with the OeVP to form an executive.” “Ladies and gentlemen, this step has not been taken lightly. I will continue to ensure that the principles and rules of our constitution are properly observed and respected,” he concluded.

This is a turning point in the Second Republic. It is the first time since 1945 that a representative of the Freedom Party in Austria has been given the task of forming a government. Previously the mandate had only been given to representatives of the Social Democrats (SPOe) and OeVP. “Austria is in a persistent recession and the budget needs to be cleaned up, unemployment is rising,” added President Van der Bellen. “Kickl is confident that he can find a valid majority and find workable solutions in the negotiations, he wants this responsibility, I asked him explicitly and for this reason I instructed him to start talks with the OeVP (whose new interim leader is Christian Stocker) for the formation of a federal government. Herbert Kickl will keep me informed on the progress of these talks.”