Austrian chancellor Nehammer resigns amid coalition chaos
Following the unsuccessful negotiations over forming a government coalition in Austria, Chancellor Karl Nehammer announced on Saturday evening that he plans to resign from his position as head of the government and as chairman of the conservative ÖVP, reported the dpa agency. Earlier that day, the Chancellor's party engaged in coalition talks with the Social Democrats.
In the coming days, I will resign from the position of Chancellor and leader of the Austrian People's Party, facilitating a peaceful transition," said Nehammer in a video statement published on platform X after discussions with the Social Democrats.
"I am deeply convinced"
On Friday, the liberal NEOS party withdrew from trilateral talks on a coalition with the ÖVP and the Social Democrat SPÖ. In response, the ÖVP and SPÖ attempted negotiations on Saturday to establish a two-party government; however, they were unsuccessful, Nehammer informed.
"It is evident that destructive forces within the SPÖ have prevailed," the ÖVP leader remarked. He stressed that his party would not consent to any programme undermining economic stability and financial performance.
Simultaneously, Nehammer confirmed he is not prepared to engage in coalition talks with the right-wing FPÖ under Herbert Kickl's leadership. "I am deeply convinced that radicals do not provide solutions to any problem," he stated.
Despite the FPÖ's victory in the parliamentary elections in September, the President of Austria charged Nehammer with forming a government. He argued that the Christian Democrats and Social Democrats firmly excluded the possibility of forming a government with Kickl as Prime Minister. These groups accuse the FPÖ of extremism, close ties with Russia, an intent to limit the role of women in public life, and employing rhetoric that exacerbates social divisions.
The dpa agency noted that according to recent polls, if new elections were held in Austria, the FPÖ could expect an even more decisive victory than in September.
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