VIENNA – Austria’s conservative People’s Party (OVP) and the Social Democrats (SPO) are rapidly moving towards forming a coalition government, excluding the far-right Freedom Party (FPO), which failed to form a government last week, party officials said on Thursday.
This would be the third attempt to establish a ruling coalition since the September parliamentary election, where the FPO secured 29% of the vote but struggled to lead a stable government. If the OVP and SPO succeed, it would end the longest government formation process in Austria since World War Two.
President Alexander Van der Bellen, who oversees government formations, has outlined four possible outcomes: a snap election, a minority government, a renewed coalition attempt, or a temporary expert-led government. The closer the OVP and SPO get to a coalition agreement, the more likely Van der Bellen is to favor this centrist option.
Anonymous officials from both parties indicated that talks are progressing swiftly, and a coalition deal could be finalized as early as next week.