This is intended to “technically present the financial framework conditions for a possible future government,” it said in a broadcast on Sunday. The goal is a “common perspective for further exploratory negotiations.” “Experts” from the ÖVP, SPÖ and the Ministry of Finance should be advised by experts.
According to the release, the expert group “will be in close contact with experts from various institutions, such as the Fiscal Council or economic research institutes.” The aim is to create a “well-founded and undisputed database” for political decisions. The SPÖ said the members of the new group had already been determined but would not be communicated. Public appearances by the experts are not planned; they are supposed to advise in the background.
Further discussions about coalition
Further discussions about possible coalition formation are planned for Tuesday and Wednesday in Vienna’s Palais Epstein. An exact time is not known for the time being, the ÖVP and SPÖ want to explore from around Tuesday afternoon. The talks are expected to last several hours, after which there will probably be a public statement. The SPÖ told the APA that they did not want to anticipate the results. Further meetings with the Greens and NEOS are also planned for the coming week.
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**Interview with Political Analyst Dr. Anna Schmidt on the Aftermath of the Austrian Elections**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Dr. Schmidt. The recent elections in Austria saw a significant shift with the far-right victory. What are your thoughts on the possible coalition negotiations between the ÖVP, SPÖ, and others?
**Dr. Anna Schmidt:** Thank you for having me. The election results indeed present a complex landscape for coalition negotiations. The historical rivalry and ideological differences between the Conservative ÖVP and the Socialist SPÖ make steady cooperation challenging, but the need for political stability may drive them to explore potential common ground.
**Interviewer:** The new expert group mentioned in the statements aims to provide financial frameworks for future government action. How significant is this move?
**Dr. Anna Schmidt:** It’s quite significant. By assembling a team of experts that includes members from the ÖVP, SPÖ, and the Ministry of Finance, the parties are likely aiming to establish a credible financial basis for any coalition agreement. This approach could help build a well-informed consensus and lay the groundwork for effective governance.
**Interviewer:** You noted the need for cooperation, but with no public appearances planned from these experts, does this raise concerns about transparency?
**Dr. Anna Schmidt:** Absolutely, the lack of public engagement from the experts could create apprehensions about transparency. While it is common for expert advice to occur behind the scenes, public oversight is essential to ensure that the political decisions taken are in the public’s interest.
**Interviewer:** Regarding the upcoming discussions at Palais Epstein, what are your expectations on the outcomes of these talks?
**Dr. Anna Schmidt:** Given the urgency and the pressing need for a functioning government, I expect that while the discussions might be extended and complicated, they will aim for some level of agreement. However, it may take multiple rounds of discussions before any conclusive coalition is formed, particularly if they involve other parties like the Greens and NEOS.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Dr. Schmidt. It will be interesting to see how this unfolds in the coming days.
**Dr. Anna Schmidt:** Thank you for having me. I’m looking forward to seeing how the alliances form and what policies will emerge from these negotiations.
