There is no end in sight: the formation of a government could be the longest since 1945

Only twice has it taken longer from election day to the inauguration of a new government than now: after the National Council elections in 1962 and 1999. Since coalition negotiations between the FPÖ and ÖVP have only just begun, the previous record time would be can be achieved. exceeded.

For this to happen, the Blue-Black coalition negotiations that have now started would have to last more than three weeks and the new government would not take office until February 6.

Second place would be available on February 1. The longest government formation to date lasted a total of 129 days: after the elections on November 18, 1962, negotiations between the ÖVP and SPÖ dragged on for months before the two parties finally reluctantly agreed on a new edition of the grand coalition, which was approved on was appointed by Federal President Adolf Schärf on March 27, 1963.

There are clear parallels with 1999
25 years ago, it took just five fewer days for the first black-blue coalition to take office. The complicated initial situation at that time certainly has parallels with the current situation.

The situation after the elections of October 3, 1999 was just as complicated: the SPÖ with the highest number of votes ruled out a coalition with the FPÖ, which came second for the first time, and the third-placed ÖVP wanted to enter the elections of 3 October 1999. opposition.

Weeks of coalition negotiations between the SPÖ and ÖVP failed, but then things moved quickly. Just two weeks later, on February 4, the first black-blue coalition – which had already been built in parallel – was sworn in under ÖVP leader Wolfgang Schüssel. It was the only time so far that the person appointed by the Federal President to form the government after the elections was not sworn in as chancellor.