Negotiations for a coalition government in Austria are ongoing between the conservative People’s Party (ÖVP) and the Social Democrats (SPÖ), following the departure of the liberal NEOS party. The SPÖ has indicated that the decision now lies with the ÖVP on whether to continue discussions. Both parties hold a slim parliamentary majority and had been exploring cooperation with NEOS to prevent the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) from joining the government.