Latest news with #SPÖ
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
New three-party coalition takes office in Austria
Austria's new three-party coalition government comprising the conservative Austrian People's Party (ÖVP), the Social Democratic Party (SPÖ) and the liberal NEOS was sworn in on Monday, ending months of political deadlock in the Alpine nation. Administering the oath to Cabinet members, President Alexander Van der Bellen urged the three factions to always put the good of the state before party interests. He also called on the new government to play an active role in strengthening the European Union in light of soaring global tensions. "We must strategically secure peace in Austria and in Europe," Van der Bellen said. The alliance will be led by ÖVP head Christian Stocker as chancellor, while SPÖ chief Andreas Babler will serve as vice-chancellor. NEOS party leader Beate Meinl-Reisinger will take on the role of foreign minister. The ÖVP and SPÖ have appointed six Cabinet members each, while the NEOS hold two ministerial posts. The swearing-in ceremony marked the end of a five-month search for a new government. The far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) won the parliamentary elections in September, but has been forced to go into opposition after coalition talks with the ÖVP failed earlier this year. The new alliance's primary tasks include boosting the economy and reducing the country's large budget deficit. The three parties have also agreed on a tougher approach to migration.
Saudi Gazette
03-03-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Center-right leader Christian Stocker sworn in as new Austrian chancellor
VIENNA — Christian Stocker was sworn in as Austria's new chancellor on Monday, heading a three-party coalition government formed five months after last year's election. Stocker's center-right People's Party (ÖVP), the center-left Social Democrats (SPÖ) and the liberal Neos clinched a deal last week after their first attempt to form a coalition failed in January. Grassroots members of the Neos voted overwhelmingly in favor of the coalition agreement with the two other parties on Sunday, removing the last obstacle for the three to take office. The SPÖ's leader Andreas Babler has been sworn in as vice-chancellor. 'Good things come to those who wait,' Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen joked at the ceremony as he swore in the new government, referencing the five months coalition negotiations had taken — the longest in the country's history. Stocker, 64, has never served in a national government, and his name was not originally on the ballot when Austrians headed to the polls last September. He took over the role of ÖVP's head from former chancellor Karl Nehammer, who resigned in January when initial negotiations between the three parties broke down. A former lawyer, Stocker has been a member of the Austrian parliament since 2019 and served as general secretary of the party from September 2022 until he replaced Nehammer. The country's new chancellor said he didn't even expect to be made leader of the ÖVP when Nehammer resigned. "The day the decision was taken, I drove to Vienna in jeans and a roll-neck jumper," Stocker told Austrian daily Die Presse. "A few hours later, I had to ask for a suit and tie to be brought to me," he revealed. Stocker has expressed his commitment to the European Union and is critical of Russia — policies that clashed with the leader of the far-right Austria's Freedom Party (FPÖ), Hebert Kickl, who came first in the election with 28% of the vote. After Kickl's own negotiations to form a coalition with the ÖVP fell apart, the controversial winner of the election now remains locked in opposition. Stocker will head the Alpine country's first three-party coalition since the later 1940s. The coalition agreement, unveiled last week, includes introducing stricter measures for asylum seekers, revising tenancy laws and implementing planned benefits cuts. — Euronews
Euronews
03-03-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Centre-right ÖVP's Christian Stocker sworn in as new Austrian chancellor
Christian Stocker was sworn in as Austria's new chancellor on Monday, heading a three-party coalition government formed five months after last year's election. Stocker's centre-right People's Party (ÖVP), the centre-left Social Democrats (SPÖ) and the liberal Neos clinched a deal last week after their first attempt to form a coalition failed in January. Grassroots members of the Neos voted overwhelmingly in favour of the coalition agreement with the two other parties on Sunday, removing the last obstacle for the three to take office. The SPÖ's leader Andreas Babler has been sworn in as vice-chancellor. 'Good things come to those who wait,' Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen joked at the ceremony as he swore in the new government, referencing the five months coalition negotiations had taken — the longest in the country's history. Stocker, 64, has never served in a national government, and his name was not originally on the ballot when Austrians headed to the polls last September. He took over the role of ÖVP's head from former chancellor Karl Nehammer, who resigned in January when initial negotiations between the three parties broke down. A former lawyer, Stocker has been a member of Austrian parliament since 2019 and served as general secretary of the party from September 2022 until he replaced Nehammer. The country's new chancellor said he didn't even expect to be made leader of the ÖVP when Nehammer resigned. "The day the decision was taken, I drove to Vienna in jeans and a roll-neck jumper," Stocker told Austrian daily Die Presse. "A few hours later, I had to ask for a suit and tie to be brought to me," he revealed. Stocker has expressed his commitment to the European Union and is critical of Russia — policies that clashed with the leader of the far-right Austria's Freedom Party (FPÖ), Hebert Kickl, who came first in the election with 28% of the vote. After Kickl's own negotiations to form a coalition with the ÖVP fell apart, the controversial winner of the election now remains locked in opposition. Stocker will head the Alpine country's first three-party coalition since the later 1940s. The coalition agreement, unveiled last week, includes introducing stricter measures for asylum seekers, revising tenancy laws and implementing planned benefits cuts.
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New Austrian government in place as last party signs off on coalition
Austria's first three-party coalition government will be ready to start work in the coming week after the liberal NEOS approved the coalition on Sunday. It has been a long haul - five months, to be exact. That's a record for the mountainous country popular with many Europeans as a ski destination. The three-way coalition includes the conservative Austrian People's Party (ÖVP), the centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPÖ) along with the NEOS. It replaces a government of the ÖVP and the Greens. This is the second attempt by the three parties to get a government together following parliamentary elections in autumn of last year. After those talks failed, a coalition between the right-wing FPÖ, which won the election with 28.8% of the vote, and the ÖVP also failed to materialize. Under pressure from Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen, the ÖVP, SPÖ and NEOS tried again. This time it worked, as the three reached a coalition deal on Thursday, ending five months of political instability. One important motive for working together was to prevent FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl from becoming chancellor. Sunday's vote clears the way for the swearing-in of the cabinet planned for Monday under the new chancellor and ÖVP leader Christian Stocker. In the new government, the NEOS will provide the minister of education, Christoph Wiederkehr, and the foreign minister, party leader Beate Meinl-Reisinger. The ÖVP, SPÖ and NEOS have presented a coalition agreement that is more than 200 pages long. Its goals include tighter migration policies, austerity measures to combat the large budget deficit and a cap on rent increases in parts of the housing market. The new government is committed to continuity in foreign and EU policy. The ÖVP's attempt to form a government with the right-wing FPÖ failed due to differences in EU and security policy. The right-wing populists are extremely sceptical of the EU and are considered friendly towards Russia. For the liberal NEOS, which were founded in 2012, becoming a part of the Austrian government is a big win. "It really is a historic moment," Meinl-Reisinger said at the beginning of her speech to the party loyals.
Euronews
02-03-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Three parties agree to a coalition in Austria, keeping the far-right out
The three had announced the coalition deal last week, but members of the liberal Neos party still needed to approve the agreement to join the government. The new government is due to be sworn in on Monday, ending the five-month wait since the Austrian far-right FPÖ (Freedom Party) came out on top of national elections with around 29% of the vote. It had been the longest period in Austrian politics for a coalition to form. The alliance between the three parties was one of the last alternatives to avoid a snap election which opinion polls suggest would have increased FPÖ's lead. If Neos' party members hadn't agreed to enter the coalition, the SPÖ and ÖVP parties would have been left with a parliamentary majority of only one seat – viewed as too narrow to effectively govern. 'Thank you, thank you,' Neos leader Beate Meinl-Reisinger said after the vote, 'The work starts tomorrow. Now I want to celebrate.' It is the first time the liberal Neos party will participate in a federal government in the party's 13-year history. Over 94% of almost 2,000 members of the Neos party voted in favour of the agreement, paving the way for the three-party coalition to take office. At least a two third majority vote was needed for the party to participate in the coalition. The SPÖ and ÖVP had previously presented their future government team to the media, tapping ÖVP party leader Christian Stocker as the new federal chancellor. Head of the SPÖ Andreas Babler will take up the mantle of Vice Chancellor. As the party which garnered the second most votes in last year's elections, the SPÖ will lead the government. SPÖ will control the finance ministry and Neos foreign affairs and education. The coalition government in waiting is set to impose impose stricter measures for asylum seekers — including at least a temporary pause in family reunification — revised tenancy laws, and planned cuts in benefits.
