Austria’s ruling conservative People’s Party has appointed Secretary-General Christian Stocker as interim Chancellor following Karl Nehammer’s resignation amid failed coalition talks. Nehammer’s efforts to form a centrist government without the far-right Freedom Party (FPO) collapsed after the FPO emerged as the largest party in the September elections, now commanding around 29% support. This leaves President Alexander Van der Bellen with limited options, including a potential snap election or enlisting FPO leader Herbert Kickl to form a government. Analysts suggest the OVP may now consider a coalition with the FPO, which previously governed together until 2019.
