Austria’s ÖVP Abandons Coalition Talks with SPÖ, Anticipating Potential New Elections
The Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) has terminated coalition negotiations with the Socialist Party of Austria (SPÖ), indicating that no agreement could be reached on key issues. This breakdown raises the possibility of new elections, especially as recent polls suggest that the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) could gain significant support, potentially increasing its vote from 29% to around 35%. The ÖVP leader, Karl Nehammer, faces pressure to navigate the political landscape amid these developments.