Coalition stability is under threat in Austria

Significance

Corruption scandals have undermined support for Nehammer’s centre-right People’s Party (OeVP) and damaged relations with its coalition partner, the Green Party. Nehammer faces a difficult task in both reversing polling trends and strengthening relations between the coalition parties.

Impacts

• If corruption investigations do not lead to charges against Kurz, he may return to politics at some stage.
• Austria will only enforce its mandatory vaccine law should the epidemiology of COVID-19 deteriorate significantly.
• The prospect of more immigration flows as travel restrictions ease would deepen divisions within the government.