dpa
Vienna
The conservative Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) is prepared to engage in negotiations with the far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) regarding forming a government coalition, newly designated ÖVP leader Christian Stocker said on Sunday.
The move could pave the way for the FPÖ to lead an Austrian government for the first time. Shortly after being appointed to replace Chancellor Karl Nehammer as the party’s leader, Stocker said the ÖVP would join talks with the FPÖ if it is invited to do so.
Nehammer announced his resignation on Saturday following the collapse of previous coalition negotiations with centrist parties.
Austrian President Alexander van der Bellen said on Sunday afternoon that he will hold talks with FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl on Monday about forming a new government.
Van der Bellen said he had the impression that the voices within the ÖVP rejecting collaboration with Kickl had become significantly quieter, with Nehammer having consistently ruled out working with the far-right party. “This, in turn, means that a new path may possibly open up,” the president said.
Van der Bellen said Nehammer would remain in office until a new chancellor is appointed in the coming week to lead a caretaker government while a coalition is formed. Former chancellor Sebastian Kurz has ruled out returning to the role, a source within Kurz’s entourage told DPA on Sunday.
