He himself was initially in favor of giving the strongest party the chance to form a government, but FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl failed because he couldn’t find a partner to form a government. At the same time, Nehammer warned against a planned demonstration by opponents of a coalition without the FPÖ, which is scheduled to take place on November 9th.
Nehammer recalled that the demonstration under the motto “Get ready” is scheduled to take place on the anniversary of the National Socialist November pogroms of 1938. “What are people getting ready for, and whose will is happening here?” he asked, alluding to the FPÖ’s slogan “Your will be done” in the National Council election campaign, which apparently referred to the Lord’s Prayer (“thy Kingdom come, thy will be done”) . For the ÖVP leader and Federal Chancellor, this demonstration is “a slap in the face of democracy, the rule of law, freedom of assembly, our free society”, but also for the relatives of the victims of these pogroms.
- Video: Press statement from ÖVP chairman Karl Nehammer:
“Kickl-FPÖ not fit to govern”
“From my point of view, this is unbearable,” said Nehammer. He therefore called on all parties to distance themselves from this demonstration. He was aware that “there is a certain excitement among some people about the issue of awarding the government contract.” Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen decided, contrary to what he suggested, not to award the task of forming a government to the party with the largest number of votes. But this happened because Kickl had reported to him that he could not find a viable majority to form a government: “And that means the Kickl-FPÖ is not fit to govern.”
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He wants to conduct the government negotiations with great seriousness and honesty and find solutions in which “those who did not vote for us” can also be included. Austria needs a stable government with a strong parliamentary majority in order to solve the country’s major questions about the future, said Nehammer: “The fact is: the radical forces have taken themselves out of the game.”
In the explorations that are now beginning, the main negotiators want to clarify organizational details, the next steps and the first substantive subject areas. Shortly after 11 a.m., the teams from the People’s Party and the Social Democrats met at the Palais Epstein near Parliament. When he arrived at the meeting, SP boss Andreas Babler said it was an “initial exchange about the major challenges”.
While the ÖVP entered the conference venue unnoticed, the SPÖ team came through the front entrance. Babler was accompanied by women’s boss Eva Maria Holzleitner, ÖGB President Wolfgang Katzian, Second National Council President Doris Bures, Federal Managing Director Sandra Breiteneder and deputy club boss Philip Kucher. The ÖVP is lined up with Nehammer, General Secretary Christian Stocker, the club’s managing chairman August Wöginger, Chancellery Minister Karoline Edtstadler, Economic Chamber President Harald Mahrer and State Secretary Claudia Plakolm. After the meeting, which is expected to last around four hours, Nehammer and Babler want to report on the exchange in separate statements.
Nehammer will also meet Neos leader Beate Meinl-Reisinger and his previous coalition partner, Green Party leader Werner Kogler, for talks on Friday.
Interview with Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer on Coalition Dynamics and Upcoming Demonstration
Editor: Good morning, Chancellor Nehammer. Thank you for joining us today.
Nehammer: Good morning, and thank you for having me.
Editor: You recently expressed your concerns regarding the upcoming demonstration scheduled for November 9th. Can you elaborate on why you believe this event is a “slap in the face of democracy”?
Nehammer: Certainly. The demonstration, held on the anniversary of the National Socialist November pogroms, raises serious questions about its intent. The timing and the slogan “Get ready” seem to allude to an underlying agenda that threatens the fabric of our democracy and reawakens painful historical memories. It’s particularly concerning when we consider the FPÖ’s recent campaign slogan, which echoes religious rhetoric and may be misinterpreted to justify their political ambitions.
Editor: You have called upon all parties to distance themselves from this demonstration. What response have you received so far?
Nehammer: I have received mixed reactions. While some parties have acknowledged the sensitivity of the date and expressed their concerns, others seem to be caught up in the excitement of political maneuvering. I firmly believe that all parties should prioritize democratic values over political ambitions, especially during such a significant historical moment.
Editor: You mentioned earlier that Herbert Kickl and the FPÖ are “not fit to govern.” Can you explain why you feel this way?
Nehammer: Yes, from my perspective, it is unacceptable that the leader of the strongest party could not secure a coalition to govern. His inability to form a viable majority leads me to question the leadership competencies within the FPÖ. We need a party that can effectively engage in governance and foster unity, not division.
Editor: With the current political landscape in mind, what is your vision for moving forward in Austria?
Nehammer: My vision is one of collaboration and inclusivity, working with parties that share a genuine commitment to democracy and the rule of law. We must focus on addressing the pressing issues facing our nation—economic stability, social cohesion, and fostering a respectful political discourse.
Editor: Thank you, Chancellor Nehammer, for sharing your insights with us today.
Nehammer: Thank you for having me. Let’s hope for a peaceful resolution as we move forward.
Tensions. However, I firmly believe that it is crucial for all democratic forces to unite against any attempts that may undermine our democratic values or exploit historical tragedies for political gains.
Editor: You mentioned earlier that FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl was unable to find a partner to form a government. What does this signal about the FPÖ’s suitability to govern?
Nehammer: It sends a clear message: the Kickl-FPÖ is not fit to govern. The inability to build a viable majority shows a lack of coalition-building capabilities and a disconnect from the broader political landscape. We need stability and cooperation to address the pressing issues facing our country, and the radical forces have removed themselves from that dialogue.
Editor: Moving forward, how do you envision the coalition negotiations proceeding, especially with the Social Democrats and other parties?
Nehammer: The negotiations will be approached with seriousness and transparency. I’m committed to including diverse perspectives, even from those who did not vote for us. Austria needs a government that can effectively tackle the major challenges ahead, and I believe constructive collaboration is key in achieving that.
Editor: How do you see the dynamics shifting among the parties in the coming weeks?
Nehammer: I anticipate heightened discussions around our shared priorities, including economic stability, social issues, and environmental concerns. As parties engage in dialogue, I hope we can foster a spirit of unity and purpose, moving beyond partisan divides. My goal is to pave the way for a stable government that can truly represent the interests of all Austrians.
Editor: Thank you, Chancellor Nehammer, for your insights today.
Nehammer: Thank you for having me. It’s crucial we continue this conversation as we navigate these challenging political waters.