The Austrian Conservative Party (ÖVP) and the Social-Democratic Party (SPÖ) have resumed discussions to form a federal government after several failed attempts since last September’s elections.
The two parties would hold a slim majority of just one seat, but the Greens and liberal Neos have suggested they might support them on certain issues.
The far-right Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ) won the September legislative elections with 29%. The ÖVP, in power since 1987 in the Alpine country of nine million people, secured 26%, while the SPÖ garnered 21%.
The leader of the Austrian far-right, Herbert Kickl, informed President Alexander Van der Bellen last Wednesday that he had failed to form a coalition government with the conservatives, who resist his programme.
