Kaiser and Gruber

Carinthian state leadership negotiates coalition

After the exploratory talks, the ÖVP, SPÖ and NEOS are moving to the negotiating table. Carinthia's political spearhead will be among those involved.

Now it's final: three parties are holding government negotiations with each other. From Thursday, the representatives of the ÖVP, SPÖ and NEOS will sit opposite each other in 40 subgroups and seven top-level groups. Red party leader Philip Kucher is considered to be the frontrunner, while Governor Peter Kaiser is supporting the SPÖ negotiating team from Carinthia. As the "Krone" has learned, another member of the Carinthian government will also be involved in Vienna.

Provincial deputy Martin Gruber (ÖVP) has enjoyed a high reputation in the black federal party since his victory in the 2023 state elections - and will therefore also be negotiating together with ÖVP veteran Gabriel Obernosterer.

Where Gruber is involved in negotiations
Agriculture seems likely to be one of his main areas of negotiation, but Gruber will be sent into the ring by the People's Party in other subgroups: According to information from "Krone", Gruber is to be a co-negotiator in the sub-groups on combating inflation and housing, competition policy and food as well as consumer protection and energy prices.

The group on combating inflation and housing will be led by State Secretary for Digitalization and Youth Claudia Plakolm, while Harald Mahrer, President of the Chamber of Commerce, will lead the group on the economy and infrastructure.