The exploratory talks between the ÖVP and SPÖ to form a government started on Friday. As he arrived for the meeting at Palais Epstein, near parliament, SPÖ leader Andreas Babler said it was a “first exchange of views on the big challenges”. After the first conversation, which lasted about four and a half hours, Babler admitted: “There is still a very long way to go. But we are ready.”
In principle he is “positive that the negotiations can lead to a government”. However, he limits himself to the fact that the meeting, which lasted about four and a half hours on Friday, was mainly atmospheric. So the outcome is open. In any case, the mood was good.
Co-management “only under one principle”
First of all, the most important topics and challenges for Austria at the moment and in the coming years have been elaborated. “What do we need to do in the next five years so that we can transform uncertainty and anger into security and trust?” was ready for government, but only on one premise: people’s lives had to change.
The ÖVP team reached the conference location unnoticed
While the ÖVP entered and left the conference location unnoticed on Friday, the SPÖ entered as a team through the main entrance and left the palace via the same route. Babler was accompanied by women’s boss Eva Maria Holzleitner, ÖGB President Wolfgang Katzian, President of the Third National Council Doris Bures, Federal Director Sandra Breiteneder and deputy club boss Philip Kucher. The ÖVP consists of Nehammer, Secretary General Christian Stocker, General Chairman of the club August Wöginger, Minister of Chancellery Karoline Edtstadler, President of the Economic Chamber Harald Mahrer and State Secretary Claudia Plakolm.
The Chancellor will then have individual appointments with NEOS chairman Beate Meinl-Reisinger and Green Party spokesperson Werner Kogler, which will last until the evening hours. The plan is to involve one of the two parties, as the black-red coalition has only one mandate left in the National Council.
Source: Krone
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