Austrian FPÖ and ÖVP Resume Coalition Talks After Stalemate

Negotiations between the far-right FPÖ and conservative ÖVP continue despite disputes over ministerial roles and EU policy.

The FPÖ and ÖVP have agreed to resume coalition talks after a brief pause, increasing the likelihood of FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl becoming Austria's next chancellor.
Disagreements persist over the distribution of key ministries, with the FPÖ demanding control of the Interior and Finance Ministries, which the ÖVP opposes.
The parties have clashed on EU and foreign policy, with the FPÖ advocating reduced EU influence and the ÖVP emphasizing a pro-EU stance and rejecting Russian influence.
President Alexander Van der Bellen has met separately with both party leaders to encourage progress in the negotiations.
The FPÖ achieved its best-ever election result in September, securing 28.8% of the vote, while the ÖVP came in second with 26.27% after failed coalition talks with other parties.