VIENNA: Austria's Social Democrats may approach the far-right Freedom Party of Austria in a bid to form a four-party coalition to replace the current government of Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, who is being investigated for corruption.
Kurz's ruling conservative Austrian People's Party is governing in coalition with the Greens, who have called on the chancellor to resign after officials found indications that Finance Ministry funds were used to manipulate opinion polls.
In order to do so, the Social Democrats would have to reverse their earlier decision not to work with the Freedom Party of Austria at federal level. Social Democrat leader Pamela Rendi-Wagner appeared to signal this was an option when she told public broadcaster ORF that "extraordinary situations call for extraordinary measures."
Rendi-Wagner described a four-party alliance of the Social Democrats,Greens, the liberal NEOS party and the Freedom Party of Austria as"unlikely, but possible," adding that if it did happen, it would be important for each minister to respect departmental boundaries.
The leader of the FPOe, Herbert Kickl, a vocal opponent of vaccination against the coronavirus, would certainly not become health minister, Rendi-Wagner said, adding that she would be prepared to become chancellor, given Kurz's likely ouster.
Kurz has denied the corruption allegations but is set to face a no-confidence motion in parliament on Tuesday at a special session of the National Council.
Austria's other political parties are also holding talks to discuss potential alternative coalitions in order to avoid having to hold fresh elections.
Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said last week that there was no reason for him to resign as head of a coalition government despite a corruption investigation against him and his party.
Kurz and his Austrian People's Party (OeVP) were "capable and willing to act," he said, adding that he would do whatever it took to ensure political stability.
The comments came after a debate about whether a governing coalition between his OeVP and the Greens remained viable despite the fact that anti-corruption investigators searched the offices of Kurz, the OeVP, the Finance Ministry and a media house on Wednesday.
According to the Economic and Corruption Prosecutor's Office (WKSTA), there are indications that, from April 2016 onwards, funds from the ministry were used to publish "party-politically motivated, sometimes manipulated polls by an opinion research company" in the interest of Kurz, who was then foreign minister.
A continuation of the coalition with OeVP would only be possible without Kurz in light of the severe corruption charges made against him, said the parliamentary group leader of the Greens, Sigrid Maurer, earlier on Friday. "It is quite clear that such a person is no longer fit for office,"she added.
Maurer called on the conservative party to nominate someone with an untarnished reputation to continue to lead the current government.
But, so far, the OeVP has mostly backed Kurz, who also leads the party.
The Greens are set to hold talks with other parties on Friday to find a solution to the government crisis. On Tuesday, a special session of the National Council is planned, in which the opposition wants to introduce a motion of no confidence in Kurz.
The leader of the far-right FPOe Herbert Kickl on Friday said he was ready to hold talks with other parties about the path forward. The party holds 30 of 183 mandates in the National Council and will be needed for forming a majority without the OeVP. The far-right party was also open to new elections, Kickl said. - dpa
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