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Austria Forms Centrist Coalition Government Excluding Far-Right Party

The deal ends a record-breaking post-election deadlock, sidelining the far-right Freedom Party despite its election victory.

Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen, head of People's Party (OeVP) Christian Stocker, head of Social Democrats Andreas Babler and head of NEOS party Beate Meinl-Reisinger pose for photos as they give a press statement at Hofburg Palace after meeting Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen in Vienna, Austria, February 22, 2025. REUTERS/Elisabeth Mandl/File Photo
Head of People's Party (OeVP) Christian Stocker, head of Social Democrats Andreas Babler and head of NEOS party Beate Meinl-Reisinger attend a press statement after finalizing coalition talks, at the Parliament in Vienna, Austria, February 27, 2025. REUTERS/Lisa Leutner
Head of Austrian Peoples' Party (OeVP) Christian Stocker leaves a news conference in Vienna, Austria, Wednesday, Feb 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Heinz-Peter Bader)
Austrian party leaders Christian Stocker of the Peoples' Party (OeVP), center, Andreas Babler of the Social Democrats (SPOe), left, and Beate Meinl-Reisinger of NEOS, right, pose with their government program after a news conference on forming a coalition government in Vienna, Austria, Thursday, Feb 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Heinz-Peter Bader)

Overview

  • Austria's conservative People's Party, Social Democrats, and liberal Neos have formed a coalition government, marking the first three-party coalition since 1949.
  • The agreement excludes the far-right Freedom Party, which won the most votes in the September election but failed to form a government.
  • Key policies include stricter asylum rules, a potential headscarf ban for girls under 14, and measures targeting radicalization and extremism.
  • The coalition aims to address Austria's economic challenges, including a rising budget deficit, with plans for tax reforms, pension adjustments, and increased levies on banks.
  • Christian Stocker of the People's Party is expected to become chancellor, with the coalition emphasizing EU cooperation and rejecting far-right euroskeptic policies.