Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen today tasked the leader of the Free Party of Austria (FPÖ), Herbert Kickl, with forming a government after coalition talks between the People's Party (ÖVP) and the Social Democrats (SPÖ) collapsed. Van der Bellen made the announcement after a meeting with the head of the Free Austrian Party:
Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.
Thank you for once again taking the time and interest in our democracy.
One of the most important constitutional tasks of the Austrian Federal President is to ensure that our country has a functioning federal government.
The strength of this government must be a prerequisite for its success. It therefore needs a reliable majority of more than 50 per cent of the seats in the National Council.
How can such a majority be obtained?
One of my jobs is to find out. As to the composition of this majority, I may have certain wishes and ideas. But respect for the voice of the electorate requires that the Federal President honour the majority that he does or does not find in the National Council.
This is the reassuringly clear core of our democracy. It is enshrined in the Austrian Federal Constitution.
Ladies and gentlemen,
You have seen for yourselves what opportunities have or have not opened up after the September elections.
Given the election results, two of the three major parties will have to work together to win a majority in the National Council. However, cooperation between the ÖVP and the SPÖ and the FPÖ under Herbert Kickl was categorically ruled out by those in charge at the time. Karl Nehammer and Andreas Babler insisted, even after further discussions requested by me, that they would not form a coalition with the FPÖ under Herbert Kickl.
Karl Nehammer then tried to form a three-party coalition with the SPÖ and Neos. In conversations with me, all three party leaders articulated a clear will to achieve joint results and a viable government programme.
However, these negotiations failed.
Mr Nehammer resigned and returned the mandate to form a government. And as we all witnessed over the weekend, the ÖVP has given up its categorical "no" to the coalition led by Mr Kickl.
The newly appointed ÖVP leader Christian Stocker announced publicly yesterday that the ÖVP is now ready for government negotiations with the FPÖ.
This is a new situation.
However, it is still my constitutional duty to sound out the possibility of a government with a majority of over 50 percent in the National Council. That is why I have today invited FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl to the Hofburg to discuss the new situation with him.
We addressed and discussed various issues and options. Also with regard to the current situation in which Austria finds itself:
* The economic environment is difficult.
* Austria is in a long-term recession.
* Unemployment is rising.
* Our state budget needs to be reorganised. Not all measures will be popular, but they will have to be implemented.
* And let's not forget the geopolitical threat we face, especially from Russia's war of aggression.
* Constructive strengthening of European cooperation within the Union, also in the interest of Austrian industry and the export economy.
* And media freedom in Austria.
Mr Kickl has the confidence to find viable solutions here in the government negotiations - and he is up for that responsibility. I have specifically asked him to do so.
I have therefore instructed him to open negotiations with the ÖVP on the formation of a federal government.
Herbert Kickl will keep me updated on the progress of the talks.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I didn't take this step lightly.
I will continue to ensure that the principles and rules of our Constitution are duly observed and respected.
And as always, I'll keep you posted if anything new comes up.
Thank you for your attention.
Bundespresident/ gnews - RoZ
PHOTO: HBF/Peter Lechner
English 
Czech 
Spanish 
French 
Italian 
German