Former President Fischer: – “The decisive decision will probably only be made after the state elections”

The ‘withdrawal’ of the federal government, as some media call it, will be discussed on Wednesday. “This is rightly called dismissal,” former Federal President Heinz Fischer explains the procedure. This procedure is not provided for in the constitution, but is common. So common. As soon as an official election result is available, the government will offer the Federal President to resign. He usually accepts the offer.

To open the door for the formation of a new government. The president then entrusts the government with the continuation of its activities, ‘a kind of interim government’. She could be in office for a week or, as has already happened, four to five months. Fischer: “It is important that the government does not take course-setting measures at this stage out of respect for the voters.”

Just no quick actions
It will take a long time again. “There will be difficult problems to solve. And it’s a state election. I foresee that the governors of the states think that the results of forming a government could not be useful to them.” Another factor: two parties that lost (ÖVP and SPÖ) could govern together. And possibly involve a third, smaller party. Fischer emphasizes: “The work program must show clarity. Decisive events will probably only take place after the state elections.” So by the end of the year. But according to Fischer’s successor Alexander Van der Bellen, it would be better if it took a few weeks longer than a quick, not entirely thought-out action.

Big question: should election winner Herbert Kickl (FPÖ) be ordered to investigate? Also a custom to send the first person into the race first. Fischer answers: “I trust that the Federal President will take the right steps at the right time.”

Sensible ‘three-pillar policy’
Was his SPÖ too left-wing in the election campaign? “What the SPÖ proposes as a possible contribution in terms of wealth tax is a fairness measure that exists in two-thirds of EU countries.” He, Fischer, is not happy with the election results, but you should also see that the ÖVP has suffered much greater losses. Both could come together.

The former Federal President would certainly “welcome a collaboration based on two proven parties with experience in state politics.” ‘But governing with a wafer-thin majority would be too risky. If a third, smaller party cooperates constructively, then such a three-pillar policy should certainly be supported,” Fischer said.