Austria Forms Historic Three-Party Coalition Government

Austria has inaugurated its first three-party coalition government since World War II, bringing together the conservative People's Party (ÖVP), Social Democrats (SPÖ), and liberal Neos. Christian Stocker, previously a party functionary with no ministerial experience, has been sworn in as Chancellor, marking a significant political shift and sidelining the far-right Freedom Party (FPO). The coalition seeks to address pressing issues such as economic recovery from a two-year recession, budget deficit control, and immigration concerns heightened by recent public unrest. Despite a 200-page government program, ongoing negotiations highlight the challenges of uniting three ideologically diverse parties. Each coalition member has been assigned key governmental roles, with the ÖVP overseeing interior and defense, the SPÖ handling finance and justice, and Neos managing foreign affairs. This coalition is seen as a crucial opportunity for centrists to restore stability in Austrian politics.