After extensive negotiations and a break from initial talks with the far right, three mainstream parties in Austria have successfully reached an agreement to establish a new government, further solidifying their stance against the Freedom Party.
Austrian Coalition Seals Deal to Exclude Far Right from Government
Austrian Coalition Seals Deal to Exclude Far Right from Government
Mainstream parties unite to form a new government in Austria, rejecting the far-right Freedom Party's influence completely.
The Austrian Parliament in Vienna. The coalition agreement marks a significant political shift as the country seeks stability.
By Jim Tankersley and Christopher F. Schuetze
Reporting from Berlin
Feb. 27, 2025, 5:03 a.m. ET
In a significant development in Austria's political landscape, three mainstream political parties announced on Thursday that they have finalized a coalition agreement that deliberately excludes the far-right Freedom Party. This announcement comes after five months of tumultuous negotiations following last fall's elections.
The new coalition is poised to declare its ministerial appointments on Friday, with Christian Stocker, the leader of the People's Party, anticipated to be named chancellor. The coalition consists of the People’s Party, the Austrian Social Democrats, and the liberal NEOS party, deliberately leaving out the far-right Freedom Party, which had garnered the most votes in the September elections.
The Freedom Party, which has roots tracing back to former Nazi soldiers and has built its platform around harsh stances on immigration and political Islam, had aimed to ride the wave of rising populism in Europe. Despite initial reluctance to collaborate, mainstream parties engaged in negotiations with the Freedom Party but ultimately chose to disengage after those talks collapsed.
Following an unsuccessful attempt to form a government with the Freedom Party, the People’s Party returned to discussions with both the Social Democrats and NEOS, culminating in a coalition that presents a comprehensive 200-page governance plan for the next four years. While the primary focus of this plan includes addressing budgetary and economic issues, it also encompasses migration reforms and suggests a headscarf ban for young girls, a move seen as a response to the Freedom Party’s influence.
As the far right’s popularity continues to soar, reaching nearly 35 percent in recent polling, many observers note that the coalition's stability is critical; failure to deliver could likely benefit the Freedom Party significantly in future elections.
Jim Tankersley is the Berlin bureau chief for The Times, leading coverage of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Christopher F. Schuetze is a reporter for The Times based in Berlin, covering politics, society, and culture in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
By Jim Tankersley and Christopher F. Schuetze
Reporting from Berlin
Feb. 27, 2025, 5:03 a.m. ET
In a significant development in Austria's political landscape, three mainstream political parties announced on Thursday that they have finalized a coalition agreement that deliberately excludes the far-right Freedom Party. This announcement comes after five months of tumultuous negotiations following last fall's elections.
The new coalition is poised to declare its ministerial appointments on Friday, with Christian Stocker, the leader of the People's Party, anticipated to be named chancellor. The coalition consists of the People’s Party, the Austrian Social Democrats, and the liberal NEOS party, deliberately leaving out the far-right Freedom Party, which had garnered the most votes in the September elections.
The Freedom Party, which has roots tracing back to former Nazi soldiers and has built its platform around harsh stances on immigration and political Islam, had aimed to ride the wave of rising populism in Europe. Despite initial reluctance to collaborate, mainstream parties engaged in negotiations with the Freedom Party but ultimately chose to disengage after those talks collapsed.
Following an unsuccessful attempt to form a government with the Freedom Party, the People’s Party returned to discussions with both the Social Democrats and NEOS, culminating in a coalition that presents a comprehensive 200-page governance plan for the next four years. While the primary focus of this plan includes addressing budgetary and economic issues, it also encompasses migration reforms and suggests a headscarf ban for young girls, a move seen as a response to the Freedom Party’s influence.
As the far right’s popularity continues to soar, reaching nearly 35 percent in recent polling, many observers note that the coalition's stability is critical; failure to deliver could likely benefit the Freedom Party significantly in future elections.
Jim Tankersley is the Berlin bureau chief for The Times, leading coverage of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Christopher F. Schuetze is a reporter for The Times based in Berlin, covering politics, society, and culture in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
