Former general secretary Christian Stocker takes over the gavel of the ÖVP from Karl Nehammer – at least for the time being. As for possible cooperation with Herbert Kickl, Stocker, who had previously sharply criticized the FPÖ leader, was much milder.
Stocker began by thanking his predecessor Karl Nehammer for “his services not only to the Republic of Austria, but also to the People’s Party.” Domestic political events have recently “come to a head and come to a head,” Stocker said. Karl Nehammer made intensive efforts to form a government, but these efforts ended yesterday.
“It’s not about Herbert Kickl or me personally”
For him, it was “a great honor and joy that I was unanimously appointed Executive Chairman by the Executive Committee of the Federal Party,” Stocker said. He will fulfill this task with great humility, because now it is about “setting the course for the future”.
Stocker then addressed the FPÖ’s ‘hot potato’: he welcomed Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen’s decision to give the party the highest number of votes in forming a government. “This is not about Herbert Kickl or me personally. The country now needs a stable government,” the designated ÖVP leader emphasized.
Van der Bellen meets FPÖ leader
Van der Bellen had previously announced that he would meet Kickl for an interview on Friday morning. The Federal President is expected to entrust the FPÖ leader with the formation of a federal government. Karl Nehammer officially resigned on Sunday after talks with the SPÖ and NEOS failed.
Stocker said the ÖVP would of course accept an invitation from the FPÖ for talks. Stocker left it open whether he would remain in office permanently.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
