Austria’s Government Sworn in After 5-Month Delay

In Vienna, Austria witnessed the swearing in of a new government, marking the start of the country’s first-ever three-party coalition, helmed by Christian Stocker, who stepped in as chancellor. This coalition, representing a novel political experiment, was formed after an unprecedented wait of five months and carries the weight of addressing pressing issues like escalating unemployment, economic recession, and a strained national budget. The coalition agreement, meticulously hashed out following Austria’s longest post-WWII negotiations, includes plans for more stringent asylum policies in the nine-million-strong European Union nation.

At the ceremonial handover, Stocker expressed gratitude and recognized the significant task ahead. He stated, “I stand in front of you today with great respect for the tasks that await, and I am very well aware of the great responsibility that comes with these tasks,” affirming his intention to serve as a chancellor for all Austrians.

The creation of this coalition marks the end of a winding political journey. It brings together Stocker’s Austrian People’s Party with the center-left Social Democrats and the liberal Neos, after an initial attempt to form a government with the Freedom Party faltered. The Freedom Party, known for its far-right stance, secured the most seats in the parliamentary election on September 29 but failed to form a stable government, leading to Stocker’s eventual rise as an alternative leader.

This political reshaping follows the resignation of previous Chancellor Karl Nehammer, who stepped down after efforts to establish a coalition with the Freedom Party, led by Herbert Kickl, failed. Stocker then emerged as head of the People’s Party, navigated further discussions, and ultimately failed to partner with Kickl by mid-February, prompting the center parties to regroup to avoid premature elections. By Sunday, the coalition received a significant endorsement from the Neos members, allowing the government to be formally instituted.

Austria’s President Alexander Van der Bellen commemorated the prolonged journey to government formation with optimism, remarking, “One could say ‘good things come to those who wait’ — that, in any case, is my hope in view of the many days it took to form this government.” He noted the process’s length but remains hopeful about the prospects.

Stocker, at 64, assumes the chancellorship without having initially contested the position in the September elections and without prior national government experience. Andreas Babler, leader of the Social Democrats, steps in as the vice-chancellor, adding to the leadership change. Meanwhile, Beate Meinl-Reisinger of Neos takes on the role of foreign minister, succeeding Alexander Schallenberg, who filled in as interim chancellor following Nehammer’s departure and has since decided to leave political life.

Schallenberg, reflecting on the transitional period, spoke warmly of the handover process with Stocker and lauded the newly formed coalition’s pro-European outlook. He said, “We have a strong, pro-European government with you at the helm that understands clearly that pulling up bridges and closing hatches isn’t a policy that makes sense for our country.”

While many ministers from the previous conservative government retained their positions, notable changes include the Finance Ministry’s transition to the Social Democrats, with Markus Marterbauer assuming that position, signifying a shift in economic leadership.