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An effort by the Austrian Freedom Party chief to form a coalition government collapsed on Wednesday, ending, for the moment, his chances of leading the country’s first national government of the country since the Second World War.
The leader of the Freedom party, Herbert Kickl, and the Austrian conservative people party failed to conclude an agreement on the formation of a coalition, leaving the country without government or a clear response to what is happening afterwards.
Mr. Kickl’s party won 29% of the votes when the Austrians went to the polls in September. But four months after this vote and many series of negotiations, Austrian politicians were unable to train government.
Initially, three centrist parties attempted to form a coalition that would have prevented the government’s far -right freedom party. This effort failed earlier this year, when the liberal and conservative parties, including the People’s Party, could not conclude an agreement.
The most recent talks between the People’s Party and the Freedom party collapsed Wednesday for political disagreements on migration and national security. Mr. Kickl’s party sought to control the Interior Ministry to help push its anti-immigrant program. But the People’s Party fell, fearing that foreign intelligence agencies cease to cooperate with the ministry, which also controls the intelligence agency of Austria, if it was considered too far to the right.
“Herbert Kickl has obtained the most votes, but that does not justify his takeover,” said Christian Stocker, president of the People’s Party, after the collapse of talks.
We do not know what will come afterwards. The president of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen, said on Wednesday that he would speak with political leaders to seek a way to follow.
“Liberal democracy thrives on compromises, on the balance of various interests,” said Van der Bellen. “This is the only way a company can remain stable and succeed in the long term.”
Two small parties – Les Neos Liberals and Spö, a social democratic party, which were part of previous talks – reported their desire to try to create a government with the Conservatives, but Mr. Van der Bellen could also decide to try to form the government’s government led the country until the first elections were held.
This option would benefit Mr. Kickl and Freedom Party, whose popularity has increased since last year’s elections, according to polls.
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