The Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer resigns after talks on forming a government collapsed

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer announced his resignation on Saturday after failing to form a coalition government with the Social Democrats (SPÖ). The decision follows the liberal Neos party’s unexpected withdrawal from negotiations, leaving Austria’s political future uncertain.

“We have explored every avenue, but agreement on critical points proved unattainable,” said Nehammer, leader of the conservative Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP), in a statement broadcast by ORF. “It is no longer feasible to ensure a positive future for Austria under these circumstances.”

The ÖVP, SPÖ, and Neos were attempting to form a three-party government after the right-wing Freedom Party (FPÖ) won the national elections in September with 29.2% of the vote. However, other parties refused to collaborate with FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl, citing ideological divides.

Neos leader Beate Meinl-Reisinger described the talks as unproductive, stating that “fundamental reforms could not be agreed upon.” Her party’s withdrawal left the ÖVP and SPÖ without sufficient support to establish a majority coalition.

With coalition talks in disarray, Austria is now expected to hold another election. The FPÖ has welcomed this prospect, buoyed by recent polls showing their popularity rising to 35%.