Kurz Invites FPÖ to Coalition Negotiations: Europe Is the Key Issue.

ÖVP Chairman Sebastian Kurz announced today that he has invited the FPÖ, led by Chairman Heinz-Christian Strache, to coalition talks. An analysis by Philipp Jauernik

Now that the official final results are in, one thing is clear: a stable coalition can ultimately only be formed from two of the three larger parties—ÖVP, SPÖ, and FPÖ. ÖVP leader Kurz declared his position today: following talks with all parliamentary parties, he now intends to enter government negotiations with the FPÖ.

This comes as no great surprise. The candidate who won by far the most votes promised change during the election campaign; he could not have credibly presented that with a continuation of the previous coalition. ‘Turquoise-Blue’ signifies at the very least a shift in the political shaping of the country, because it represents a change of power. A change that is, indeed, necessary in a democracy.

Europe as a Vital Issue

In his statement on Tuesday morning, Sebastian Kurz fortunately emphasised that a clearly pro-European orientation is required for successful government cooperation. “Austria can only be successful if we are not merely a member of the European Union, but actively work to strengthen the European Union,” Kurz said verbatim in his press statement, referring to the Austrian Presidency of the Council in 2018.

He has not yet provided more precise concepts (though, in fairness, one must wait for the government negotiations). From a Paneuropean perspective, however, the diction of the presumed next Federal Chancellor is certainly highly gratifying: a clear commitment to European integration is more necessary today than ever.

The EU needs several reforms, but it also needs our commitment to the fundamental existence of such a confederation of states. Brexit, Ukraine, Kosovo, institutional sclerosis, the blocking function of the Council, the further development of foreign and security policy: there are more than enough areas where action is required.

Let us hope that these opportunities are seized.

Philipp Jauernik is a historian and Federal Chairman of the Paneuropa Youth Austria.