Austria still tinkering with new three-party coalition

The Austrian agricultural sector has presented a comprehensive package of wishes to the political parties currently discussing the formation of a new coalition government. This agricultural package was submitted by the Bauernbund, the main interest group of Austrian farmers, and is supported by several other agricultural groups. 

After the recent elections, the Christian Democratic ÖVP, the Social Democratic SPÖ and the liberal NEOS are negotiating a three-party coalition, without the far-right FPÖ that won the elections. In recent years, the ÖVP governed in a coalition with the Greens, who will probably disappear to the opposition benches this time.

The Christian Democratic Party ÖVP has historically strong ties with farmers. However, significant compromises must be taken into account in the coalition talks with the SPÖ and the liberal NEOS. The SPÖ attaches great importance to social justice and environmental protection, while the NEOS advocates strong reforms and liberalisation. This could cause tensions in the negotiations on a common agricultural policy.

The talks between the ÖVP, SPÖ and NEOS have been difficult so far, but they are continuing with the aim of forming a stable government with broad support early next year. The agricultural sector hopes that their wish list will be taken seriously. If the three intended coalition parties embrace the wish list, this could lead to a restructuring of agricultural policy. The agricultural unions point out that if nothing changes, the shrinkage of the agricultural sector that has been going on for years will continue.