Three-party coalition faces next hurdle

After the negotiations have been concluded, the three-party coalition between the ÖVP, SPÖ and NEOS has to overcome another hurdle: the government pact must finally be given the green light within the parties. This is probably most spectacular for the NEOS, as a general meeting of the Pink Party decides whether the government cooperation will come about. For the ÖVP and SPÖ, it is a matter for the respective executive board.

The pink general meeting will take place next Sunday in the balloon hall in the Arsenal in Vienna, where the approximately 3,000 members can also participate digitally. According to the party statutes, the coalition agreement must be approved by the general meeting with a two-thirds majority; a simple majority of the base is not enough. The content of the meeting is prepared by the extended federal party executive committee. This must also meet again after the negotiations have been concluded and before the general meeting and decide on the candidates for the pink ministerial posts.

The People's Party will present the agreed government program to the federal party executive board, although this is not required according to the organizational statutes. Accordingly, the federal party chairman exercises the nomination rights of the federal party in connection with participation in government and makes the corresponding decisions on personnel issues. According to the ÖVP, Christian Stocker, as acting federal party leader, also has this right, which was introduced under former ÖVP leader Sebastian Kurz. Nevertheless, the coalition agreement reached will be discussed in the federal party executive board. Under Stocker's predecessor Karl Nehammer, the states and federations already had a significant say in the selection of ministers.

The SPÖ committees have not yet set dates. However, the presidium and board will meet after the negotiations have concluded and discuss both the coalition pact and the red list of ministers. Formally, the board's decision counts. Theoretically, the board could also initiate a member survey on the agreement. However, this is more than unlikely.