Negotiations on a possible coalition between the ÖVP and the FPö are on the brink after unexpected rancor over the weekend. In particular, the FPö’s bank levy threatens to derail the project.
The decisive second round of negotiations began on Monday, during which key issues such as companies, agriculture, national defense, internal security and judiciary are to be discussed.
Deep trenches after the first unit
After a quick agreement to renovate the budget was initially reached, growing differences between the two sides were shown last week. The first point of contention was the abolition of the ORF budget tax, a core concept of the FPö.
Further conflict issues include migration policy, dealing with Russia’s war against Ukraine and European politics. In particular, the FPö’s demand for a bank levy raises tensions and could finally break down negotiations.
FPö with joint critical messages
The site was dumped over the weekend after ÖVP boss Christian Stocker made statements in a media discussion that was sharply criticized by the FPö. FPö state bosses responded with joint critical messages, which further fueled the conflict. Both parties are under pressure to meet the expectations of their voters, which also makes the search for compromise more difficult.
The ÖVP calls for a clear commitment to Europe from the FPö. However, there are statements such as those of the FPö politician Petra Steger, who described the European Parliament as the “heart of injustice”.
No deal in sight – should party leaders settle?
Despite the tensions, representatives of both sides reject interpretation as a pure “theater -donner”. On the contrary, each page expects the other willingness to compromise. A direct conversation between the party leader is not ruled out this week.
The original plan to present a coordinated paper from the subgroups by Friday and to hold the steering group days the following week is increasingly in jeopardy due to the current conflicts. The coming days will show whether an agreement is still possible or whether negotiations fail.
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.
