Dreier coalition in Austria is perfect
In Austria, a three-person coalition from ÖVP, SPÖ and NEOS can start. The liberal Neos as the smallest partner of the alliance also gave the green light at a general meeting. This gives Austria a new government five months after the parliamentary election – it has never taken that long.
94.1 percent of the NEOS members who had given their vote voted for participation in the coalition. This significantly made the necessary two-thirds majority. In the new government with Christoph Return, the NEOs represent the Minister of Education and with party leader Beate Meinl-Reisinger. « Thank you, thank you, » said Meinl-Reisinger.
Dreier coalition is a novelty in Austria
With the vote, the path is clear for the swearing-in of the cabinet planned on Monday under the new Chancellor and ÖVP boss Christian Stocker. The three-way coalition is a novelty in the Alpine Republic and replaces a government of ÖVP and Greens.
The conservative ÖVP, the Social Democratic SPÖ and the NEOS had already tried to forge an alliance after the parliamentary election in autumn 2024. This first attempt failed.
After no coalition of right FPÖ and ÖVP came about, the three parties under the pressure of Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen gave themselves compromise leaders in the second attempt. An important motive for collaboration was also to prevent FPÖ boss Herbert Kickl's chancellery. The right -wing populists had won the election.
New government is emphasized pro -European
ÖVP, SPÖ and NEOS have presented a government pact of more than 200 pages. The agreed goals include tightening in migration policy, austerity measures to combat the large budget hole and a covering of the rental price increases in parts of the housing market. The party committees of the ÖVP and SPÖ had already agreed to the agreement.
« The problem is that Merz does not raise any hopes »
Basically, ÖVP, SPÖ and the NEOS are committed to continuity in external and EU policy. A pro -European course is laid down in the pact. In February, attempts to form a coalition by Rechter FPÖ and ÖVP failed in February. The right-wing populists are extremely EU-skeptical and are considered to be Russia-friendly.
For the NEOS, the move into the government is a great triumph. « It's really a historical moment, » said Meinl-Reisinger at the start of her speech. The liberal party was founded in 2012. It has established itself in the federal and state governments.
The liberals see themselves as reform strength in topics such as education and debureaucratization. In addition, the NEOS practically addressed the pension problem aggressively. Austria has to spend a significant part of its budget to finance pensions and pensions.
