Austria's governing coalition was on the verge of collapse Monday after conservatives declared they could no longer work with the Social Democrats of Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer.
Austria's vice chancellor and leader of the conservative People's Party, a ruling partner in the coalition, said Monday that he has sought an early election.
"Enough is enough. Good work in this government is no longer possible," Wilhelm Molterer told a news conference.
Accusing Chancellor Gusenbauer of poor leadership and unpopularity within his own ranks, Molterer said his withdrawal is aimed at creating "clarity" in the government.
"The Social Democrats are without orientation or leadership. We can't let the Social Democratic crisis become an Austrian crisis."
Difference of opinion between the two ruling Parties, especially divergences on the EU Treaty, make an early election the only way out of the impasse, said Molterer.
He said problems within the Social Democratic Party of Austria have led to the failure of the coalition government.
The democratic party had abandoned the mutual basis and programs of the coalition government, which prevented the government from making joint decisions, Molterer added.
Hours later, Chancellor Gusenbauer rose to the challenge but refused to run for the post for a second time.
Instead, he said Social Democratic chief Werner Faymann would be his party's chief candidate.
Gusenbauer pointed out that the real reason for the People's Party to call an early election is that the 2006 election result was never really accepted by the party.
"They tried to hinder the government's work over the past 18 months and became the millstone around its neck," he said.
The two ruling partners have been in dispute since their coalition began in early 2007. Their standoffs have resulted in delays to or even blocking of the implementation of reforms.
In recent months, the Social Democrats began adjustments among its interior personnel and called for referendums on all future changes to the EU Treaty. A deeply dissatisfied People's Party took this as the main reason for no further cooperation.
The estrangement between the two governing partners indicates that an early election is likely.
If a motion for early elections is approved this week by parliament, a new vote could be held as early as September 14.
Source:Xinhua
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