The leader of the FPÖ, Herbert Kickl, was very narrow after having a conversation with the Federal President. A decision on how to proceed is unlikely to be made until Tuesday at the earliest.
Vienna. Herbert Kickl is just about to go behind the wallpaper door in the Hofburg with Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen when a young woman runs after the FPÖ leader. She gives him a bag and a gift for the Federal President – wrapped in blue paper. At first Kickl does not want to say anything about the matter, but the “Oberösterreichische Nachrichten” solves the mystery: It is a Swarovski owl, which is supposed to be a symbol of wisdom.
It was not yet clear on Monday if there was a big surprise attached to the gift in the conversations between Kickl and Van der Bellen. After the 50-minute conversation with Van der Bellen, Kickl remained taciturn and hurried out of the Hofburg: He would only make a statement when Van der Bellen spoke to the three party leaders and expressed his opinion. Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) and SPÖ leader Andreas Babler also kept a low profile on Monday. On the way out, Nehammer got nothing out of him except “See you again!” Babler asked implying that he would only say something after the President of the Federation.
FPÖ leader Kickl presented Van der Bellen with a gift. Image; APA/Hochmuth (2)
Probably not an order
Van der Bellen invited the leaders of the three parties to the Hofburg to discuss the next steps towards forming a government. However, after the talks, the Federal President was still not committed to another course of action. On Tuesday or Wednesday, however, it should be clear whether Van der Bellen will now give an order to form a government or allow the parties to explore further.
A mandate to form a government is not formally required for coalition negotiations. However, it is usually given to the party with the highest number of votes – which is now the FPÖ after the National Council election. This year, Van der Bellen departed from this tradition and jointly asked Kickl, Nehammer and Babler to hold talks with each other about the viable governments they could bring together.
Chancellor Nehammer was taciturn after the conversation with Van der Bellen.
In the last few weeks it has become clear that things are moving towards the ÖVP-SPÖ-Neos. In the background, the course has long been set for black and red, the Neos are pushing for participation and rapid coalition negotiations. Nehammer decided, as he declared on Monday, that he does not want to form a coalition with Kickl. Babler excluded the entire FPÖ. A government made up of ÖVP and SPÖ would have a majority, but only one mandate overlap in the National Council – the Neos or the Greens would be needed as a third partner for a viable coalition.
Rosary with the Neos
It was also not clear on Monday how much Walter Rosenkranz, the FPÖ candidate for First President of the National Council, could count on the support of the other parties. On Wednesday, the current ombudsman is invited to a meeting at the Neos parliamentary club. The pink mandataries then decide whether to vote for Rosenkranz.
The SPÖ and ÖVP have expressed their wish to maintain the practice whereby the force with the highest vote in the National Council can propose the First President. However, it seems that the SPÖ does not want to recommend Rosenkranz to its representatives: the Greens are against the FPÖ candidate at the top of the parliament.
Babler was last in line to speak.