Austria’s far-right on brink of power

The leader of Austria’s Freedom Party has received a mandate to try to form a new government, which would be the first headed by the far-right since World War II if he succeeds
    

Herbert Kickl
Leader of Eurosceptic, anti-immigrant Freedom Party, which won most seats in September 2024 elections

Alexander Van der Bellen 
Austria’s president tasked Kickl with forming coalition government after talks between centrist parties collapsed


SEATS IN NATIONAL COUNCIL (lower house of parliament)

Greens (centre-left, left-wing)
16

SPÖ Social Democrats (centre-left)
41

NEOS New Austria and Liberal Forum (centrist)
18

ÖVP People’s Party (centre-right, right-wing)
51

FPÖ Freedom Party (far-right)
57                                  

183 Total seats
                                                       

Sources: AP, Austrian Interior Ministry 
Pictures: Getty Images 
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