Ever since Herbert Kickl's far-right Freedom Party edged a win in September's legislative elections with 29% of the vote, Austria's centrist politicians have tried to block Kickl from becoming chancellor.

Talks to form a coalition government led by Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPO) will begin on Friday, the party said on Thursday, as thousands protested in Vienna against the prospect of the country's first FPO-led government.

Elon Musk may steal headlines with his zeal for Germany’s AfD party, but sentiments are shifting well beyond Berlin.

The Freedom Party and its leader, Herbert Kickl, have steadily built support by demonizing immigrants, while entering Austria’s political mainstream.

Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPO), which won September's parliamentary election with 29% of the vote, is due to start coalition talks with the conservative People's Party (OVP) this week aimed at creating the country's first FPO-led government.

Even so, according to polls, the FPÖ will do still better if snap elections are held. Kronen Zeitung, Austria’s largest-circulation tabloid, published a poll on January 5th that put the FPÖ at 37% of the vote, which would give them around 40% of the seats in parliament. That should focus the minds of the ÖVP ’s negotiators. ■

Mr Kickl’s political hero is Viktor Orban, Hungary’s autocratic leader. But unlike Hungarian voters who first voted Mr Orban in, few Austrian voters seem enamoured with Mr Kickl. Only 2% of FPÖ voters in September said they voted for the party because of Mr Kickl, while 45% said they did so because of its policies.

Austria could soon have its first government led by the far right since World War II. President Alexander Van der Bellen has turned to the far-right Freedom Party and its provocative leader Herbert Ki

The German man has been identified after his bones, including part of a leg, were discovered in western Austria.

Buoyed by the endorsement of Elon Musk and enjoying new highs in the polls ahead of elections in February, Germany's far-right AfD is hoping for a further boost from the success of the far right in neighbouring Austria.

The leader of the anti-immigrant Freedom Party of Austria, founded by former Nazis in the 1950s, was expected to be asked to enter into talks to form a new government.

Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. The leader of Austria’s Freedom Party, Herbert Kickl, addresses a news conference, in Vienna, Austria ...