Austria's Far-Right Leader Herbert Kickl Tasked with Forming Government
Herbert Kickl, leader of the far-right FPÖ, has been asked to form Austria's next government following the collapse of coalition talks among mainstream parties.
- Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen has formally requested FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl to begin coalition talks, marking a historic moment for a far-right party in Austria.
- Kickl's FPÖ won the September 2024 general election, but initial coalition negotiations stalled due to resistance from other parties to his leadership.
- The conservative ÖVP, now under new leadership, has shifted its stance and agreed to negotiate with the FPÖ, citing the need for government stability during Austria's economic crisis.
- Critics warn of Kickl’s controversial policies, including his alignment with Russia, anti-EU rhetoric, and proposed authoritarian domestic reforms inspired by Hungary's Viktor Orbán.
- Protests erupted in Vienna against Kickl's potential chancellorship, reflecting widespread concerns over the FPÖ's far-right ideology and its historical ties to neo-Nazi elements.
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