Coalition Negotiations After Vienna Election on Schedule

Sources close to the negotiators report that the talks between SPÖ and NEOS after the Vienna election are going well and the schedule is expected to be adhered to. The negotiations between Red and Pink began a week ago in the office of Mayor Michael Ludwig. Discussions then continued in subgroups according to business areas. Public statements, as seen in federal coalition talks, are being avoided in Vienna.

Conclusion of Coalition Negotiations After Vienna Election Planned for End of May

This is probably also due to the self-imposed goal of being able to present an agreement within three weeks - by the end of May. When exactly the white smoke will rise and when the inaugural meeting of the municipal council will take place is still open. However, the latter is likely to take place at the beginning of June. Naturally, discussions are not only about topics but also about personnel, even though both SPÖ and NEOS emphasize that they want to do this only after reaching a substantive agreement. It seems quite certain that the city senate will be expanded from the current twelve to 13 seats. The size must change in any case, as otherwise Red-Pink would not have a majority in the body.

In Vienna, there is a special form of proportional system, distinguishing between "executive" and "non-executive" city councilors. The latter are those of the opposition, who do not have any business groups. However, they are allowed to participate in the meetings of the city senate and vote there. The total number of city councilors, which must be between nine and 15, is decided by the municipal council. However, the distribution itself cannot be carried out at will. It is based on the strength of the parties' mandates. Currently, the SPÖ has six government members, NEOS has one. The ÖVP and the Greens each have two city councilors, and the FPÖ has one.

Changed Size Ratios After Vienna Election in City Senate

After the Vienna election, the cards were reshuffled. If the size of the city senate were to remain at twelve seats, the list would look as follows: The ÖVP would only be able to claim one city councilor, the SPÖ only five. For NEOS and the Greens, nothing would change. The FPÖ, on the other hand, would receive three seats. This would mean that the governing parties, with their six members, would not have a majority and could not pass resolutions. However, if it is decided to elect 13 city councilors this time, the one additional seat according to the distribution key would go to the SPÖ. The coalition would thus have more seats than the opposition. This is also considered by far the most likely option. Theoretically, the city senate could also be reduced to eleven seats. In this case, the FPÖ would lose one seat compared to the option with twelve posts. A Red-Pink majority would also be given. However, the responsibilities of the SPÖ would then have to be divided among five people instead of six.

(APA/Red)

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