Who will be his partner?

Burgenland poker: Doskozil announces roadmap

Although Burgenland's SPÖ governor Hans Peter Doskozil lost his absolute majority on Sunday, there is still no way around him.(Bild: APA/HANS KLAUS TECHT)

The absolute majority achieved by the SPÖ in Burgenland in 2020 has been history since Sunday. Nevertheless, Governor Hans Peter Doskozil is in the comfortable position of being able to choose from three partners - the FPÖ, ÖVP and Greens. And all three parties have already offered themselves as coalition partners. On Monday, Doskozil announced his timetable for the next few days. 

Doskozil wants to decide by next Monday with whom he will enter into government negotiations. He will hold initial talks with all parties represented in parliament this week and then discuss the main issues internally on Saturday before announcing his decision, he announced on Monday ahead of a state party committee meeting.

"Preliminary sounding"
As a kind of "preliminary sounding out", he will sit down for one-on-one talks with the leading candidates of the ÖVP, FPÖ and Greens in the coming days. "We are holding talks with everyone," Doskozil stated - including the Freedom Party.

(Bild: APA/HANS KLAUS TECHT)

At an internal meeting on Saturday, the most important topics and future priorities will be determined. The decision on a potential coalition partner will then be made and announced on Monday.

SPÖ must reduce government team
He will discuss this procedure with his party colleagues at the board meeting on Monday and there will probably also be discussions about personnel, Doskozil said on arrival. After all, the SPÖ now has fewer mandates and the government team will also be reduced in size because it will have to make room for a coalition partner. He has not yet decided who that will be. He has always been able to trust his team and it has "worked well", he said.

Although Burgenland's SPÖ governor Hans Peter Doskozil lost his absolute majority on Sunday, there is still no way around him.(Bild: APA/HANS KLAUS TECHT)

ÖVP leader Sagartz remains in office despite loss
The ÖVP also discussed the results of the regional elections on Monday. Afterwards, top candidate Christian Sagartz made it clear that he will remain in office despite the loss. Interesting: Sagartz also cited his own federal party and its about-turn towards coalition negotiations with the FPÖ under Herbert Kickl as reasons for the election debacle.

ÖVP top candidate Christian Sagartz made it clear on Monday that he will remain in office despite the election defeat.(Bild: APA/HANS KLAUS TECHT)

No Hofburg candidacy in 2028: Hofer remains in Burgenland
The Freedom Party, on the other hand, had a "blue Monday" without a meeting. They are only planning a meeting of the provincial party executive on Thursday evening. One thing is certain: top candidate Norbert Hofer will remain in Burgenland. However, it is still unclear in what capacity - for example as club chairman or member of parliament. However, the former Third President of the National Council has definitely ruled out a return to Vienna. The 2028 federal presidential election is therefore not an issue for him.

Rejection of blue-black in the federal government and the Hofburg: Norbert Hofer is staying in Burgenland.(Bild: APA/HELMUT FOHRINGER)

"It's much friendlier and more amicable in Burgenland"
"I was transport minister, I can only say that it can be very exhausting in Vienna. It is much friendlier and more amicable here in Burgenland - and I am looking forward to this task," emphasized Hofer. He therefore also wants to resign his current seat in the National Council "as soon as possible".