Negotiations on the new state government in Salzburg are progressing quickly, with far-right FPÖ and centre-right ÖVP seemingly overlapping on many issues, a possible sign of things to come in the 2024 general elections.
In April, elections in Salzburg saw the centre-right cling to the top spot – while the far-right FPÖ made large gains. The decision of Salzburgs ÖVP to enter into government with the far-right instead of the centre-left SPÖ is deemed a key signal ahead of the 2024 elections that the FPÖ may be the conservatives’ preferred partner
“The FPÖ’s problem is Kickl with his derogatory tone,” said Salzburg’s ÖVP chief, Wilfried Haslauer. He argued that a coalition with the far-right in Salzburg, with the far-right leader and strongman Herbert Kickl far off in Vienna, would thus be acceptable.
On policy, the two parties overlap. Both favour more aggressive wolf hunting and extra construction projects – without the state getting involved. Both parties are sceptical of environmental assessment procedures and environmental concerns in construction.
The two disagree on energy, where Haslauer recently embraced onshore wind turbines, while the far-right favours hydropower in the Alps.
On COVID-19 policy, the far-right expects a severe admission of guilt from the centre-right – the ÖVP was key in implementing the lockdowns and restrictions during the pandemic. According to media reports, the final government agreement is being finalised in twelve working groups.
Salzburg will be the third Austrian state with a right-wing coalition government. Previous iterations of the format had seen Austria subject to EU sanctions, severe misuse of government funds and the infamous Ibiza affair – where the far-right leadership attempted to sell out to a Russian oligarch.
(Nikolaus J. Kurmayer | EURACTIV.de)
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Source: euractiv.com
