Austria's President Tasks Far-Right Leader Herbert Kickl With Forming Historic Government After FPÖ Election Win

Jan 7, 2025, 07:30 PM

Austria's President Alexander Van der Bellen has tasked Herbert Kickl, leader of the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ), with forming a new government following the collapse of coalition talks that excluded the FPÖ. This move comes after the FPÖ won the parliamentary election in September with 28.8% of the vote, surpassing the conservative Austrian People's Party (ÖVP), which received 26.3%, and the center-left Social Democrats, who garnered 21.1%. Kickl's mandate marks a historic shift, potentially leading to Austria's first far-right-led government since World War II. Kickl has expressed readiness to govern Austria 'honestly' and has initiated talks with the ÖVP, led by new chairman Christian Stocker, for a potential coalition. However, he has warned of new elections if these talks fail. The FPÖ's rise has been met with concern over its euroskeptic and anti-immigration stance, which could challenge the European Union's cohesion. Recent polls have shown the FPÖ's support rising to between 35% and 37%.