Following a historic result in September’s national election, earning 14% of the vote, Austria’s Green Party leader Werner Kogler emphasised that his party would enter government negotiations as soon as possible and as long as necessary. Three months later, having made a breakthrough in key areas like environmental and climate protection, transparency, control and freedom of information, and social security, delegates attending the Austria’s Green Party congress on Saturday voted overwhelmingly to join a new government led by conservative Sebastian Kurz. 246 of 264 delegates (93%) voted in favour of the coalition.

Speaking after the vote co-chairs Thomas Waitz and Evelyne Huytebroeck said:

“We, the European Greens, congratulate Die Grünen for voting in favour of entering a government coalition with the People’s Party (ÖVP).

“This alliance has never been tried before at the national level in Austria. But instead of leaving space for a repetition of the disastrous centre right – far right coalition, which ended in the collapse of Kurz’s previous coalition government with the Freedom Party (FPÖ) following the Ibiza-gate scandal, the Greens decided to build an ambitious Green and social project and enter talks with Kurz: to wield their influence on burning issues facing Austria like climate change, transparency, and the rule of law.”

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