Sunday, January 05, 2025

Austria’s President to Meet Far-right Leader amid Coalition Speculation

THE GUARDIAN: ‘New path’ to power may be opening for FPÖ after collapse of talks between country’s centrist parties

Austria’s president has said he will meet the leader of the country’s far-right Freedom party (FPÖ), amid speculation that the pro-Kremlin, anti-Islam party will be tasked with trying to form a government after centrist parties failed to find agreement.

The Alpine country of 9 million has been plunged into political crisis after the collapse of coalition talks aimed at keeping the far right out of government. On Sunday it appeared the FPÖ – narrowly the most voted-for party in September’s parliamentary elections – would be most likely to benefit from the turmoil. » | Ashifa Kassam | Sunday, Januray 5, 2025