Particle.news
Download on the App Store
9 ARTICLES
·
last mo.

Austrian Centrist Parties Form Coalition, Excluding Far-Right Election Winner

The conservative, center-left, and liberal parties reached a deal after five months of deadlock, sidelining the far-right Freedom Party despite its electoral victory.

Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen, head of People's Party (OeVP) Christian Stocker, head of Social Democrats Andreas Babler and head of NEOS party Beate Meinl-Reisinger pose for photos as they give a press statement at Hofburg Palace after meeting Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen in Vienna, Austria, February 22, 2025. REUTERS/Elisabeth Mandl/File Photo
Head of People's Party (OeVP) Christian Stocker, head of Social Democrats Andreas Babler and head of NEOS party Beate Meinl-Reisinger attend a press statement after finalizing coalition talks, at the Parliament in Vienna, Austria, February 27, 2025. REUTERS/Lisa Leutner
Head of Austrian Peoples' Party (OeVP) Christian Stocker leaves a news conference in Vienna, Austria, Wednesday, Feb 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Heinz-Peter Bader)
Image

Overview

  • Austria's conservative People's Party (ÖVP), center-left Social Democrats (SPÖ), and liberal Neos have agreed to form a coalition government.
  • The far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ), which won the most votes in last September's election, was unable to form a government due to policy disagreements with the ÖVP.
  • The coalition deal ends a record 129-day post-election stalemate, the longest in Austria's post-World War II history.
  • Christian Stocker, leader of the ÖVP, is set to become Austria's new chancellor, with SPÖ's Andreas Babler as vice chancellor.
  • The coalition's proposed agenda includes budget consolidation and social reforms, aiming to balance conservative and progressive policies.