Austria Elects First Far-Right Parliamentary Speaker

Walter Rosenkranz of the Freedom Party assumes the role amid controversy and opposition from Jewish groups and left-wing parties.

Walter Rosenkranz, a member of the far-right Freedom Party, was elected as the speaker of Austria's parliament with 100 out of 183 votes.
This marks the first time a representative from the Freedom Party has held such a high-ranking position in Austria's parliamentary history.
Rosenkranz's election has sparked significant backlash from Jewish organizations and left-wing parties, citing his ties to far-right groups and controversial past statements.
Despite the Freedom Party's electoral success, they are unlikely to form the government due to a lack of coalition partners willing to work with them.
Austria's President Alexander Van der Bellen has tasked the conservative ÖVP with forming a coalition government, bypassing the Freedom Party despite their electoral victory.