Politics
Austria swears in three-party coalition after five-month deadlock
Christian Stocker becomes chancellor as conservatives, social democrats and liberals unite to keep the far-right Freedom Party out of government despite its election victory.
Person
Herbert Kickl
Leader of the Freedom Party, Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ)
What we have reported
- Received a mandate to form a government but failed to reach agreement with the conservatives.
- Called the coalition a tie-up of 'losers' and demanded a snap election after his party won the election but was excluded from government.
- Kickl's party won the September election with nearly 29 per cent but was excluded from government; he has dismissed the new coalition as a 'coalition of losers' and called a snap election.
Coverage
Politics
Austrian centrists seal coalition deal after record 151 days sidelining far right
The ÖVP, SPÖ and Neos have agreed a three-party government programme that avoids an EU deficit procedure, tightens asylum rules and names Christian Stocker chancellor, but the Neos membership must still approve it on Sunday.
Politics
Austrian centrist parties seal coalition deal excluding far-right FPÖ
The ÖVP, SPÖ and Neos agree a 200-page programme after five months of deadlock, giving Christian Stocker a slim parliamentary majority but leaving the Freedom Party polling at 35 per cent.
Politics
Far-right parties cannibalising Europe's centre-right across the continent
From Germany to Austria, mainstream conservatives are adopting hardline immigration platforms to stem voter losses, but evidence shows the strategy only strengthens the radical right.
Politics
Austria faces far-right chancellor as EU accepts new normal
Herbert Kickl's Freedom Party leads coalition talks after September election victory, threatening to add Vienna to a growing bloc of Moscow-friendly capitals that could paralyse unanimous EU decisions on Ukraine, migration and climate.
Others in the news
The newsletter
One important European story. Explained properly.
Delivered to your inbox on the days we publish. No daily digest, no push notifications, no advertising.