Austria's coalition talks collapse as Chancellor Karl Nehammer resigns, sparking uncertainty over far-right FPO's role and potential snap elections.
Negotiations between Austria's two main centrist parties to form a coalition government excluding the far-right Freedom Party (FPO) collapsed on Saturday, leading conservative Chancellor Karl Nehammer to announce his resignation.
The liberal Neos party had withdrawn from talks a day earlier, accusing the other parties of failing to embrace the bold and decisive measures it advocated.
"I will stand down as chancellor and as leader of the People's Party in the coming days and enable an orderly transition," Nehammer said in a video statement on X, following discussions with the Social Democrats (SPO).
The collapse of these coalition talks, three months after the parliamentary election in September, highlights the increasing challenges of establishing stable governments in European nations like Germany and France, where the far right is gaining momentum, but many political groups resist partnering with them.
The eurosceptic and Russia-friendly FPO emerged victorious in the election with about 29% of the vote. However, it required a coalition partner to govern. Nehammer had ruled out a coalition with FPO leader Herbert Kickl, leaving the FPO without any viable partners.
Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen, a former Greens leader, had tasked Nehammer with forming a government. With Nehammer stepping down, the two main possibilities are that Kickl will be asked to form a government or that a snap election will be held.
Nehammer has criticized Kickl as being "too much of a conspiracy theorist to lead a government" but noted that many in the FPO are trustworthy. Despite this, Kickl's views align with those of Nehammer's People's Party (OVP) on issues such as immigration.
The OVP leadership planned to meet on Sunday to decide Nehammer's successor. The new leader is expected to be more open to a coalition with the FPO, a partnership favored by a significant portion of the OVP.
The two parties had previously governed together under OVP leadership from 2017 to 2019, when the FPO's former leader stepped down following a video scandal, causing that coalition to dissolve.
An overnight fire at a popular bar in Bangkok has killed at least 30 people and injured 70 others, making it one of the deadliest pub disasters in ...
The United States carried out a third consecutive night of airstrikes against Iran, targeting military capabilities around the Strait of Hormuz as Don...
Afghan authorities in Kabul and Herat have sought wider investment, trade and environmental cooperation with Uzbekistan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Iran and ...
Breel Embolo early opener to put Switzerland in control of last-32 tie against Algeria after Spain made easy work of Austria as Portugal left it late to beat Croatia, with all winners now through to the last 16.
Media leaders from across Europe gathered in Vienna this week for the annual European Publishing Congress.
Caleb Yirenkyi’s stoppage-time goal secured a 1-0 win for Ghana over Panama as World Cup action delivered a mix of late drama and key results. Colombia and England also began their campaigns with victories, while DR Congo held Portugal in a historic 1-1 draw and Austria beat Jordan 3-1.
Thousands of residents blocked Austria’s Brenner motorway on Saturday (30 May), shutting down a major north-south transport route through the Alps in protest against persistent congestion from heavy truck traffic and tourism.
The 4th Shusha Global Media Forum will bring together nearly 160 media leaders, experts and officials from 54 countries in Azerbaijan's historic city of Shusha on 13-14 July, to discuss journalism’s role in peacebuilding, restoring public trust and tackling challenges.
The U.S. has launched fresh strikes on Iran after Tehran targeted a container ship and said it had again closed the Strait of Hormuz. Iran also claimed to have expanded attacks on U.S. military facilities across the Gulf.
Typhoon Bavi, the strongest storm to hit the eastern coast of mainland China this year, brought heavy rain, strong winds, flooding and landslides after making landfall in Zhejiang province on Sunday. More than 2.8 million people were evacuated to safety ahead of the storm.
President Ilham Aliyev is holding his annual question-and-answer session with international journalists at the 4th Shusha Global Media Forum in Azerbaijan.
Qatar is mourning the death of its former ruler, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who has passed away at the age of 74.
An overnight fire at a popular bar in Bangkok has killed at least 30 people and injured 70 others, making it one of the deadliest pub disasters in the Thai capital in recent years. Authorities say the venue quickly filled with thick smoke, trapping patrons inside.
The United States carried out a third consecutive night of airstrikes against Iran, targeting military capabilities around the Strait of Hormuz as Donald Trump announced the reinstatement of a blockade on Iranian shipping and proposed a 20% fee on cargo passing through the strategic waterway.
A Chinese-born American seismologist designated by Washington as "wrongfully detained" is facing espionage charges in China after being held for nearly two years, according to his family, U.S. lawmakers and hostage advocacy groups.
The United States and Iran have significantly escalated their conflict, exchanging heavy missile and drone strikes across the Gulf region. Iran claims it has once again closed the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route.
A Sudanese court has sentenced Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, and 15 other defendants to death in absentia over crimes committed during the conflict in West Darfur.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment