Following the failure of talks on a three-way coalition in Austria, the conservative Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) and the Social Democrats (SPÖ) want to continue one-on-one coalition talks. Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen said Friday that both parties have announced their intent to talk about a grand coalition.

Representatives of the conservative Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) and the Social Democrats (SPÖ) met in the nation's chancellery for talks on Saturday after the failure of their discussions with a further party for a three-way coalition.

Austria's conservative Chancellor Karl Nehammer said Saturday he would step down in the "coming days" after breaking off coalition talks with the Social Democrats over disagreements on key issues. The surprise move might lead to snap polls being called in the Alpine EU member country — or the conservatives might negotiate with the far right that won national elections in September.