Austria has finally secured its new coalition government after months of uncertainty, following the approval of a three-way alliance led by Christian Stocker. The liberal NEOS party agreed to work with conservative Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) and center-left Social Democratic Party (SPÖ), paving the way for Stocker’s appointment as chancellor next week.
The decision comes after parliamentary elections in September saw the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) come first, but later fail to form a government due to tense negotiations. The NEOS party members voted overwhelmingly in favor of the coalition agreement, with 94% approving the deal during a hybrid meeting in Vienna.
As part of the new government, NEOS is set to head the Foreign and Education Ministries, while prioritizing cuts to state spending and pension reform. Tighter migration rules, austerity measures, and rent cap increases are also on the agenda.
The coalition agreement marks Austria’s first time having a three-way national government, with NEOS never being in power before. The ÖVP and SPÖ have been critical of the deal, while FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl called it a “coalition of losers.”
Austria has endured one of the longest waits since World War Two to form a new government, spanning over five months. Germany is facing a similar challenge after parliamentary elections last Sunday, with center-right leader Friedrich Merz set to begin talks with Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats next week.
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/austrias-3-way-coalition-gets-final-vote-of-approval/a-71799945