Austrian Coalition Talks Between FPÖ and ÖVP Face Collapse

Disputes over key ministries, EU policy, and internal trust hinder efforts to form a government 130 days after the election.

The FPÖ, led by Herbert Kickl, and the ÖVP, led by Christian Stocker, remain deadlocked in coalition negotiations over contentious issues like ministry control and policy direction.
The FPÖ demands control of the chancellorship, the finance ministry, and the interior ministry, sparking resistance from the ÖVP, which has held the interior ministry since 2000.
Major disagreements include FPÖ's hardline stances on EU policy, such as blocking Ukraine support and ending sanctions on Russia, as well as controversial proposals to suspend asylum rights through emergency laws.
A leaked security report warns that FPÖ control of the interior ministry could weaken Austria’s intelligence and counter-espionage capabilities, citing the party's alleged ties to Russian networks.
Alternative coalition options, such as an SPÖ-ÖVP-Neos alliance, have re-emerged after earlier talks failed, with SPÖ signaling flexibility to prevent an FPÖ-led government.