Today in Austria, our member party, the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ), reached an agreement to form a coalition with centrist parties ÖVP and NEOS, breaking a five-month deadlock to form a government. We commend the SPÖ for challenging the far-right rhetoric of the FPÖ and refusing to go into coalition talks with them which has ultimately resulted in them not being part of the agreed coalition.
Commenting on the formation of the coalition PES President Stefan Löfven said:
‘’I welcome the news that the firewall in Austria has been upheld and commend the SPÖ for forming a coalition with centrist parties and keeping the far-right out of power. SPÖ represents a strong democratic force in Austria, and the party that will always deliver on behalf of all Austrians. Under the leadership of Andreas Babler, I am confident that SPÖ will safeguard the social agenda in the new government and will keep Austria as a shining example of a democratic, just, and social state.’’
The news of the coalition agreement comes following a visit to Austria by PES President Stefan Löfven and PES Secretary General Giacomo Filibeck in support of the SPÖ during the coalition talks and ahead of the local elections. They met with the SPÖ Mayor of Vienna, Michael Ludwig, as well as with SPÖ representatives to reaffirm that the PES stands firmly next to its Austrian member party and is against the rise of the far-right in Austria and in Europe.
