Austrian right-wing parties push for government role

Sep 29, 2008, 17:35 GMT

Vienna - Austria's two far-right parties are pushing for government roles after they emerged as the real winners from Sunday's general elections, with a total of 29 per cent of the votes.

After the Social Democratic Party (SPOe) emerged as the strongest contender from the elections, party leader Werner Faymann would like to continue the coalition with the centrist conservative People's Party (OeVP).

But an increasing number of conservatives are speaking out against another such coalition.

A right-of-centre coalition is emerging as an option, as Austrian news agency APA reported first contacts between the People's Party and politicians on the far right on Sunday evening.

After the unexpectedly big gains of the right-wing Alliance for the Future of Austria (BZOe), party leader Joerg Haider was careful to appear statesman-like on election night.

He was foreseeing a 'broad centre-right constellation' in Austria, similar to Italy, Haider told public broadcaster ORF.

Heinz-Christian Strache brimmed with confidence after his far- right Freedom Party collected even more ballots than the Alliance.

As the Social Democrats and Conservatives had received their 'worst result in history,' he said he claimed the chancellorship, his party now being the third strongest faction in parliament.

Only inclusion in a government was acceptable, Strache said. 'We will not support a minority government (of the SPOe).'

But Faymann has already ruled out such a coalition.

The People's Party formed a coalition with the Freedom Party in 2000. The European Union reacted with protests and even sanctions.

After Sunday's results, another such project would again be possible, as the Conservatives' 25.6 per cent, the Freedom Party's 18 per cent and the Alliance's 11 per cent would form an absolute majority in parliament.

Such a scenario would become possible if the Social Democrats were not able to form a coalition, and Austria's president would have to ask the Conservatives as the second strongest party to give it a try.

Political scientists say that such a three-party coalition would face massive problems.

On the topic of the European Union, the pro-integration stance of the People's party is incompatible with the far-right's eurosceptic rhetoric.

What's more, ever since Haider's Alliance split off from the Freedom Party in 2005, the two rightist parties have not been on friendly terms.

Although Haider has offered to cooperate, Strache has so far ruled out working together.

'Before a centre-right coalition could be formed, there would have to be a sub-coalition between the FPOe and BZOe first,' political science professor Peter Filzmaier said.

By declaring that he would not govern with the far right, Social Democratic leader Faymann has limited options.

If the People's Party refuses to join the new cabinet, a Social Democratic minority government would in all likelihood be short- lived.