Also there’s the simpler attraction of a 2 way versus 3 way tie up, simply from a politically functional pov.

And the ÖVP are rightly concerned about what governing with the SPÖ will do to their chances in the next election versus the FPÖ, which given the instability of such a coalition, might not be 5 years distant.

But basically everything is to play for and really this is about personalities as much as policies. The problem being that for various reasons the leaders of the three biggest parties will find it very hard/impossible to sit around a cabinet table with one another.

Most people I’ve spoken to in the ÖVP - who are almost certain to be in government one way or another - seem to think that for now, the on balance likeliest outcome is a “Zuckerlkoalition” - a candy coalition - with the Neos and SPÖ 🖤🩷❤️

An oblique but firm warning between the lines from Van der Bellen. He will do what he can to keep the FPÖ - or at least some of its more radical elements - out of power.

Austrian parties start coalition talks after far right win

[FREE TO READ] President Alexander Van der Bellen says new government has to respect ‘basic pillars’ of democracy

Yes. Who are in the 19th century tradition, liberal.

Please bear in mind that I am in Austria, had lunch in a vineyard with some neo Nazis, and have just covered the electoral breakthrough of the far right when I say… this was the craziest thing I heard today: Crypto is responsible for more than 50% of corporate spending in the US election

The farce that is America’s ‘crypto election’

[FREE TO READ] This campaign may be awash with crypto money and rhetoric but it’s not clear that either of the candidates really care

Anything more creative than the usual clientalist solutions to these negotiations will also depend totally on Van der Bellen, and how active he wants to be. Right now if you’re Nehammer tho… why give up the chancellery? Result is better than expected and you’ve campaigned on “holding the middle”

Well, firstly as an involved journalist I would never put money on it 😉 But also I don’t want to imply my opinions are fixed. Everything is up in the air. I’m just making educated guesses. (I also don’t think Doskozil would take over - he’s too much of a busted flush now)

Would not be UNHAPPY with… stupid autocorrect