Herbert Kickl, leader of Austria's far-right Freedom Party, has received a mandate to form the country's first national government led by the far right since World War II. Kickl, who faces criticism from conservative parties he's now set to co-govern with, aims to address Austria's budget deficit and rebuild public trust.
VIENNA – Austrian far-right leader Herbert Kickl said Tuesday in his first comments after being tasked to form a new government that he aspires to “govern Austria honestly” as he prepared for talks on a potential coalition with conservatives who criticized him sharply in the past.His Russia-friendly, anti-immigration, euroskeptic Freedom Party won Austria’s parliamentary election in September but was initially shunned by other parties. Their efforts to put together a coalition without it failed.
“Our country was driven into the wall in the past five years,” Kickl said, pointing in particular to Austria’s large budget deficit and what he said was “a massive trust deficit” accumulated by mainstream parties. He said he has “a very, very simple aim, and that is to govern Austria honestly.” “If this isn’t assured … I can say that’s it,” Kickl said. “Then there will be new elections – we are prepared for that.”
The Freedom Party’s poll ratings have risen since the election as its rivals struggled and failed to find common ground. Surveys published in December put its support at between 35% and 37%.
AUSTRIA POLITICS FAR-RIGHT COALITION ELECTION
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Speculation grows that Austrian far right leader Herbert Kickl will be asked to form a governmentSpeculation is mounting that Austrian far-right leader Herbert Kickl will be tasked with forming a new government.
Read more »
Speculation grows that Austrian far right leader Herbert Kickl will be asked to form a governmentNews reports suggest Austrian far-right leader Herbert Kickl is poised to be tasked with forming a new government.
Read more »
Austria's Conservatives Open Door to Far-Right CoalitionFollowing failed coalition talks with centrist parties, Austria's conservative People's Party is now willing to negotiate with the far-right Freedom Party to form a new government.
Read more »
Austria's President to Meet with Far-Right Leader Amidst Government CrisisAmidst a political crisis in Austria, President Alexander Van der Bellen will meet with far-right leader Herbert Kickl, potentially paving the way for Kickl to form a government. This comes after Chancellor Karl Nehammer announced his resignation following failed coalition talks.
Read more »
Austria's Far-Right Leader to Form New GovernmentHerbert Kickl of the Austrian Freedom Party is set to lead the country's first far-right government since World War II after failing to form a coalition with other parties.
Read more »
Austria's Far-Right Set to Lead Government After Coalition CollapseThe leader of Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPO), Herbert Kickl, is expected to be tasked with forming a coalition government after a centrist attempt to assemble one without the FPO failed. The FPO, which came first in the September parliamentary election, has never led a government before.
Read more »