In Vienna on February 21, Austria's conservative People's Party (OVP) and Social Democrats (SPO) announced their expanded efforts to form a coalition government by including the small, liberal Neos party for a stronger parliamentary majority.
This decision reverts to the initial three-party approach adopted after the September elections, which were won by the far-right Freedom Party. Following the first attempt with centrist parties, the Freedom Party was initially given the task of forming a government, but announced last week that it had stepped back.
The OVP and SPO combined would hold a slim majority in the lower house, deemed insufficient for stability, prompting the inclusion of the smaller party. Progress in discussions is reportedly swift, with a possible agreement expected by the following week.
"The parties will issue statements on the talks' progress this evening," they stated jointly. Rather than visiting President Alexander Van der Bellen as speculated, they confirmed plans to brief him on Saturday at 1 p.m. (1200 GMT) and communicate updates thereafter.
Earlier in the day, Van der Bellen urged all parties to embrace compromise for the greater good, emphasizing the importance of finding solutions through consensus amid reported challenges in the discussions.
While Neos had been involved in the initial negotiations across all policy sectors, reports suggest a narrower role this time, with potential offers for the education ministry, and either the foreign or justice portfolios.
After the collapse of the Freedom Party-led initiative, Van der Bellen outlined four alternatives: a snap election in around three months, a minority government, a renewed coalition attempt for a majority, or an interim government led by experts.