Austria’s Kurz returns to power amid questions over whether ‘marriage of convenience’ with Greens can last – The Telegraph

He rejected coalition talks with the centre-Left Social Democrats (SP) after pledging to end the grand coalitions between Austrias two largest parties that were seen as an establishment carve-up.

The Social Democrats, who will now form the main opposition, were quick to dismiss the new coalition agreement. Its an VP program with Green camouflage, said Pamela Rendi-Wagner, the party leader.

It is striking that it predominantly bears the signature of the VP. The Greens have apparently only managed to secure positions in the area of climate protection, said Michael Ludwig, the influential mayor of Vienna.

It will be the Austrian Greens first term in government, and senior party figures defended the coalition agreement, insisting it was a price worth paying to secure their flagship climate policy.

We promised our voters a lot on climate protection, poverty reduction and transparency, and we stuck to that, Birgit Hebein, the partys regional leader in Vienna said.

Of course, there are some painful points, particularly on the topic of asylum, but we mustnt forget we only won 14 per cent of the vote, and we are taking on a great responsibility for the country. It was clear from the start there would have to be compromises.

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Austria's Kurz returns to power amid questions over whether 'marriage of convenience' with Greens can last - The Telegraph

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