Austria's Parties Begin Coalition Talks for Government

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer has announced the commencement of full-scale coalition talks between the conservative People's Party, the Social Democrats (SPO), and the liberal Neos, marking a historic first three-way coalition since Austria's independence in 1955. This decision follows the far-right Freedom Party (FPO)'s victory in September's parliamentary elections, where it secured around 29% of the vote but failed to find a coalition partner. President Alexander Van der Bellen tasked Nehammer with forming a government without the FPO, leading to this pivotal moment in Austrian politics. The coalition talks will shift from initial discussions among a few officials to more detailed negotiations handled by specialized teams from each party. Nehammer acknowledged that the road ahead could be challenging but emphasized the intention to conduct discussions as efficiently as possible. The outcome of these talks could significantly shape Austria's political landscape going forward.