The SPÖ, ÖVP and NEOS announced this in a joint broadcast on Sunday. Afterwards, the exploratory teams from ÖVP and SPÖ will meet for a 4th round in the Palais Epstein.
In the run-up to the meetings, the parties were all quite buttoned up. A specific time for the conversation between ÖVP boss Karl Nehammer, SPÖ boss Andreas Babler and NEOS chairman Meinl-Reisinger was not mentioned.
In any case, after the conversation with the pink party leader, there will be another exploratory round between the People’s Party and the Social Democrats. The aim is to clarify the question of a third partner and the associated timetable, the APA said on Sunday. There is another appointment for Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer in the afternoon (2 p.m.): Due to the convalescence of Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, who is still recovering after his spinal disc operation, the Chancellor will be the inauguration of Vorarlberg’s Governor Markus Wallner on his behalf on Monday the Hofburg. To do this, Nehammer will leave the exploratory talks for a short time and then return, the Chancellery said.
After the ÖVP-SPÖ exploratory round last Wednesday (which focused on the topics of migration, security, combating inflation and affordable housing), it was announced that another round would follow on Monday.
The reason for the search for a third partner is the extremely narrow majority of Turquoise-Red with only one mandate surplus. This means that the ÖVP and SPÖ need either the Greens or the NEOS for a broader majority. The question of the third partner is of course a somewhat tricky one. While the ÖVP prefers the NEOS, the SPÖ also wants to keep the option with the Greens open.
Last week, the NEOS once again showed themselves ready to take on government responsibility. The announcement by NEOS Secretary General Douglas Hoyos that he wanted to take over the Finance Ministry caused irritation among the ÖVP and SPÖ. The ÖVP then explained that now was not the time to discuss potential government positions, but rather content. The SPÖ was also “astonished”: “What people don’t want is a policy that puts posts before content,” said SPÖ federal manager Klaus Seltenheim on Friday.
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**Interview with Political Analyst Dr. Sarah Meier on the ÖVP-SPÖ-NEOS Exploratory Talks**
**Editor:** Welcome, Dr. Meier. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the ongoing exploratory talks among the ÖVP, SPÖ, and NEOS. What do you think about the significance of these meetings?
**Dr. Meier:** Thank you for having me. These talks are crucial at a time when the ÖVP and SPÖ hold a very narrow majority. It emphasizes the importance of finding a third partner, whether that be NEOS or the Greens, to effectively govern and address pressing issues like inflation, migration, and housing.
**Editor:** We’ve seen the ÖVP and SPÖ approach this process carefully, maintaining a degree of secrecy regarding their conversations. Why do you think they’re being so tight-lipped?
**Dr. Meier:** Political negotiations often require a level of discretion. The parties likely want to establish a foundation of trust and understanding without public pressure or speculation influencing their discussions. However, their silence can also lead to speculation and even tension, especially with statements from NEOS about government responsibilities.
**Editor:** Speaking of NEOS, Douglas Hoyos’ suggestion of them taking the Finance Ministry has caused some ripples. What does this reveal about the dynamics within these negotiations?
**Dr. Meier:** Hoyos’ comment certainly signals NEOS’ readiness to step into a governing role, but it also puts the pressure on ÖVP and SPÖ. It highlights the delicate balancing act both major parties must navigate—accommodating NEOS’ ambitions while also addressing their own priorities and keeping options open with the Greens.
**Editor:** It seems like there’s a real tug-of-war between the ÖVP’s preference for NEOS and the SPÖ’s inclination towards the Greens. How do you predict this will impact the talks?
**Dr. Meier:** The differing preferences will complicate negotiations. ÖVP’s inclination to partner with NEOS may clash with the SPÖ’s desire to include the Greens in the mix. As both sides seek to expand their majorities, it’s essential they find common ground on policy priorities. If they fail to resolve these preferences, they may struggle to form a stable coalition.
**Editor:** with Chancellor Nehammer needing to step out for a short while due to his responsibilities, how might this affect the flow of discussions?
**Dr. Meier:** Leaving the talks might signal to the other parties that while the discussions are important, there are larger systemic responsibilities at play as well. However, spontaneity in negotiations can sometimes lead to breakthroughs, so it remains to be seen how this departure will play out.
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights, Dr. Meier. It will be interesting to see how these negotiations unfold in the coming days.
**Dr. Meier:** Thank you. I look forward to following the developments.