After Zuckerl’s departure – Van der Bellen clear: “I expect results”

Ladies and gentlemen, I have always promised to keep you informed about the formation of the Austrian federal government.

I’ll do it again.

One more time.

You yourselves saw today that NEOS has withdrawn from the coalition negotiations.

That was surprising.

Let me briefly summarize what has happened so far and what will happen next.

As everyone knows, the elections were held on September 29, 2024. 10, 20, 30 or even 40 percent of the National Council seats are not enough to form a coalition government.

For this coalition government to be possible, a majority is necessary, that is, more than 50 percent of the mandates.

A majority that represents you as citizens.

I spoke to the five parliamentary parties immediately after the elections and after the first round of talks I decided not to give a mandate to form a government for the time being.

Because?

Because a completely new situation had arisen: no one was willing to collaborate with the FPÖ under the leadership of Herbert Kickl.

However, I asked FPÖ chairman Kickl, as well as the heads of the ÖVP and SPÖ, to clarify what kind of cooperation would be conceivable to resolve the deadlock.

Kickl and Nehammer spoke to each other and Nehammer continued to rule out a coalition with the FPÖ under the leadership of Herbert Kickl.

Messrs. Kickl and Babler then met to talk. The head of the SPÖ again ruled out any cooperation with the FPÖ.

I then invited the gentlemen to a second round of talks at the Hofburg and asked them to inform me: Herbert Kickl could not convince either the ÖVP or the SPÖ to form a coalition with him.

The obstacles were insurmountable. It was useless to continue entrusting Herbert Kickl with the search for partners who clearly did not exist.

That is why I entrusted the president of the second strongest party, the ÖVP, with the task of forming a government.

I asked them to immediately enter into negotiations with the SPÖ and also to clarify whether a third partner was needed.

The ÖVP and SPÖ then started exploratory talks and, after the fourth round of exploratory talks, decided to include NEOS.

Karl Nehammer, Andreas Babler and Beate Meinl-Reisinger have entered into coalition negotiations.

These conversations continued until last night. Today, NEOS declared its withdrawal.

In short: this tripartite variant

It’s history.

Where are we now?
What happens next?

The task of forming a government remains. Agree on a government program.

And in a liberal democracy, all this needs a majority in parliament to pass the necessary laws.

Karl Nehammer and Andreas Babler told me today in personal conversations that they are still working on a coalition.

This must occur without delay.
I made it very clear today.

I want clarity. Fast and complete clarity.

Now I await these results together with all Austrians.

And as always, I will inform you immediately if there is any news.

Thank you so much.