Austrian Political Parties Unite Against Far-Right Coalition

Leaders of Austrian political parties have rejected the idea of forming a coalition with the far-right Freedom Party (FPO) leader Herbert Kickl, despite the FPO's victory in the recent parliamentary election with its highest ever vote share. Only the ruling OVP kept the option open but refused to join a government with Kickl.

In the wake of a decisive parliamentary election, Austrian political parties have united in their stance against forming a coalition with the head of the far-right Freedom Party (FPO), Herbert Kickl. Despite the FPO emerging victorious for the first time and securing its highest vote share ever, potential coalition partners have distanced themselves.

The most closely watched projection, conducted by pollster Foresight for the national broadcaster ORF, indicated the FPO garnered 28.9% of the ballots with 82.8% counted. The conservative People's Party (OVP) followed closely with 26.3%, making coalition negotiations crucial for forming a majority government.

However, party leaders, including the liberal Neos' Beate Meinl-Reisinger and the Social Democrats' Andreas Babler, unequivocally dismissed the possibility of a coalition with the FPO. Even the ruling OVP, while not entirely ruling out collaboration, reiterated its refusal to join a government led by Kickl.

(With inputs from agencies.)