Austrian Far-Right Leader Pushes for Government Role After Election Victory

Herbert Kickl of the Freedom Party calls for cooperation from rivals to form a coalition, warning against a 'coalition of losers'.

Herbert Kickl's Freedom Party won approximately 29% of the vote in Austria's recent parliamentary election, marking a historic achievement for the far-right party.
The Freedom Party, known for its eurosceptic and Russia-friendly stance, needs to form a coalition to secure a majority in parliament.
The ruling conservative People's Party (OVP) has ruled out joining a government led by Kickl, despite being a potential coalition partner.
Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen is conducting meetings with party leaders to facilitate government formation, expressing reservations about Kickl.
Kickl emphasizes that the Freedom Party's electoral success represents a mandate from voters for it to lead the government.