Karl Nehammer has announced his resignation as Austria’s Federal Chancellor and leader of the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) after coalition negotiations with the Social Democratic Party (SPÖ) failed to reach an agreement.
Nehammer had been striving to form a centrist coalition that excluded the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ), which recently emerged as the strongest force in the Austrian parliament. However, the breakdown of talks led him to step aside.
In a public statement, Nehammer declared, “I will be stepping down as chancellor and as the head of the People’s Party in the coming days to ensure a smooth leadership transition.”
The ÖVP has since named Secretary-General Christian Stocker as interim leader.
This political shift significantly alters Austria’s government formation process, increasing the likelihood of the FPÖ leading upcoming coalition discussions. President Alexander Van der Bellen, who has historically opposed FPÖ’s inclusion in government, may now have to reconsider his stance due to these developments.
The event underscores the challenges faced by centrist parties across Europe as they navigate the growing influence of far-right movements.
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