Austrian President Urges Coalition Talks Amid Political Stalemate

President Van der Bellen seeks clarity from top parties after Freedom Party's election win faces resistance.

The far-right Freedom Party (FPO) won Austria's recent election but faces challenges in forming a government as other parties refuse to cooperate with its leader, Herbert Kickl.
President Alexander Van der Bellen has called on the FPO, the conservative People's Party (OVP), and the Social Democrats to discuss potential coalition options.
The FPO secured 28.8% of the vote, but needs a coalition partner to achieve a parliamentary majority.
Chancellor Karl Nehammer's OVP is open to a coalition with the FPO only if Kickl is not part of the government.
The president aims to resolve the stalemate and has asked party leaders to report back by next week on possible cooperative solutions.