Austria’s centre-right ÖVP eyes two-party government, likely with the far-right

Austrian Defence Minister Klaudia Tanner of the centre-right ÖVP expressed her preference for a two-party government in an interview with APA on Sunday, with polls suggesting this would mean a coalition with the far-right FPÖ.

In September, Austrians will head to the polls. With the far-right FPÖ continuously polling in first place at 30%, observers note that the ÖVP could be entertaining the idea of forming another right-wing government.

As Austria is now in full campaign mode, Tanner has preferred a two-party coalition – unlike in neighbouring Germany, where three parties govern jointly.

In her interview with APA, Tanner noted that compromises in three-party governments are more difficult to find, pointing to the current three-way coalition between Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s SPD, the Greens and the liberal FDP in Germany.

Besides, Germany’s three-party government is deeply unpopular with voters, polling at 30% – down more than 20 percentage points from the 2021 election.

Tanner noted the challenges and problems inherent to a three-way government.

“Each party had its programme and opinions, making compromises troublesome. There’s no question that this is more challenging with three parties,” she said.

Latest polls point to a two-party majority needing support from the far-right, though the minister still ruled out a coalition with the FPÖ’s current and controversial leader, Herbert Kickl.

(Nikolaus J. Kurmayer | Euractiv.de)

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