Government resigns – “Respect the cornerstones of liberal democracy”

At the same time, he entrusted the government to continue the administration until a new administration was found. From Thursday, the Federal President will hold talks with the chairmen of the five parliamentary parties. “I will do this with the necessary calmness and with the necessary depth,” he emphasized during the ceremony.

What about the FPÖ?
Van der Bellen did not care whether he would instruct FPÖ party leader Herbert Kickl to form a government after the liberal election victory. He announced that “as a first step” he would talk to representatives of all parliamentary parties. “Now it’s about talking to each other. And to find a sustainable majority,” said Van der Bellen. If it takes time, it is well spent. As on election night, Van der Bellen emphasized that it was important for him to strengthen the fundamental pillars of liberal democracy – the rule of law, the separation of powers, human and minority rights, independent media and the EU membership – to be respected. .

The head of state typically gives the strongest party the mandate to form a government. This mandate is not enshrined in the constitution, but is a practice. Van der Bellen had announced in the past that he would not automatically give Kickl a mandate to form a government if he won the elections.

The government resigned
The impeachment process is consistent with post-election political practices. Initially, the government decided to resign during a short meeting of the Council of Ministers on Wednesday. The ministerial team, led by Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP), then walked as a unit across Ballhausplatz to the Federal President and offered him his resignation. Van der Bellen took note of this, but immediately promised the cabinet again that it would continue to conduct official business on an interim basis. Only State Secretary for Arts and Culture, Andrea Mayer (Greens), has already resigned at her own request.