Zuckerl before return:

Van der Bellen urges negotiators to compromise

Beate Meinl-Reisinger is back in the fray with her NEOS party. However, the Federal President is becoming impatient about forming a government.(Bild: APA/ROLAND SCHLAGER)

Will the sweetener come or not? All signs currently point to the NEOS entering the ongoing coalition negotiations between the ÖVP and SPÖ. Meanwhile, the head of state is slowly becoming impatient. And the FPÖ is already ranting about the "loser traffic light".

It is now a done deal: On Saturday (1 pm), the three party leaders (Christian Stocker, Andreas Babler and Beate Meinl-Reisinger) have an appointment with the Federal President in the Hofburg.

Babler and Stocker were actually expected to visit on Thursday. However, the decision to possibly try again with the NEOS as a junior partner has delayed everything.

NEOS are said to have been offered ministerial posts
According to reports, the Pinks had also been offered ministerial posts. As the third party in the coalition, they could once again make a "Zuckerl" coalition possible. 

"It's about the state as a whole"
On Friday, Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen urged the negotiators of the parties to be able to compromise. A functioning democracy needs the courage to defend opinions, but also the wisdom to find solutions through compromise.

This is not a weakness, but the key to sustainable and fair decisions in a democracy: "Because it's not about individual interests. It's about the state as a whole."

It's not about individual interests. It's about the state as a whole.

Bundespräsident Alexander Van der Bellen

In a joint press release issued by the ÖVP, SPÖ and NEOS on Friday afternoon, it was stated that the words of the Federal President would be taken seriously.

NEOS as a partner is the wish of the ÖVP and Vienna SPÖ
It is reportedly the wish of both the ÖVP and the Vienna SPÖ that the NEOS could formally be included in a coalition again. Large sections of the Social Democrats would have preferred more flexible partnerships with the three opposition parties. The fact that they are now trying again is a little surprising, as the NEOS had subjected the SPÖ - especially its leader Andreas Babler - to some harsh criticism when the first tripartite negotiations failed.

NEOS leader Beate Meinl-Reisinger back in the mix(Bild: APA/GEORG HOCHMUTH / APA / picturedesk.com)

As far as the next steps are concerned, at least a few more days of negotiations can be expected. 

Guesswork surrounding NEOS member survey
The NEOS would still have to consult their members for a government agreement. A corresponding meeting is to take place next Friday (February 28). However, this is not fixed. Curious: an invitation sent out in error was withdrawn on Friday evening.

FPÖ identifies "voter fraud"
 The prospect of a three-party coalition has not left the Freedom Party, which failed to form a government, cold. General Secretary Michael Schnedlitz even writes of "voter fraud" through a "loser traffic light" in a press release. The "clear will of the voters" is being circumvented by "the system". "Destruction of prosperity", "security chaos" and "illegal mass immigration" is what Schnedlitz expects. He therefore calls for new elections.