Austria has been unable to establish a new ruling coalition.

Previously, politicians had planned for NEOS and two centrist parties – the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) and the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ) – to form a parliamentary majority capable of effectively countering the right-wing populist Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ), which gained a majority of votes in the September elections. However, NEOS leader Beate Meinl-Reisinger stated that the parties were unable to reach an agreement on key issues such as pension reform and tax policy.

Experts predict that events may unfold in two ways. The SPÖ and ÖVP could attempt to create a two-party coalition. Together, they hold 92 out of 183 seats in parliament, which means they maintain a majority by just one seat. Otherwise, new elections may be called.

• In the elections held on September 29, 2024, the FPÖ – a far-right party – received 29.2% of the votes secured. It advocates for stricter immigration policies and a reduction in European support for the war-torn Ukraine. The closest competitor to the FPÖ is the Austrian People's Party, led by current Chancellor Karl Nehammer, which garnered 26.5% of the votes. In third place is the Social Democratic Party of Austria with 21% of the votes.
• The ÖVP and SPÖ have stated that they will not collaborate in a coalition with the FPÖ and will instead form their own, to which NEOS has also been invited. FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl has been pushing for the government formation to be entrusted to him, noting that it would be inappropriate for Austria to be governed by a "coalition of losers."