Coalition of conservative, social democratic, and liberal parties prevents far right from governing
Austria’s three-party coalition government took office on Monday, ending five months of political deadlock.
The new coalition, formed by the center-right Austrian People's Party (OVP), the Social Democratic Party (SPO), and the liberal NEOS, was announced last week.
OVP leader Christian Stocker was sworn in as chancellor alongside the country’s new government ministers and state secretaries at the presidential palace in Vienna.
“Good things come to those who wait,” President Alexander Van der Bellen said during the ceremony, thanking the parties for negotiating.
He added that the nation expects action, not just words, from the new government.
The new Cabinet has nine members from the center-right OVP, nine from the SPO, and three from NEOS.
The coalition deal follows the far-right Freedom Party’s victory in last September’s election, when it won the most votes but failed to secure a majority.
With only 29% of the vote, the party tried to form a government with the OVP, but talks collapsed.
Read next
12:51
Disease Control
Austria has shut down nearly two dozen border crossings with Hungary and Slovakia in a bid to contain the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, as authorities intensify checks and prepare for potential cases within the country.
16:51
The new Austrian Government has discontinued the reunification of family members for asylum claimants in the country with immediate effect citing widespread concerns on immigration.
13:54
Austria's three top centrist parties in parliament have reached a deal to form a coalition government without the far-right Freedom Party (FPO) and plan to present it later on Thursday, five months after the FPO won the last parliamentary election.
02:16
Villach, Austria—A 14-year-old boy was killed and four others critically injured in a knife attack, with police detaining a Syrian asylum seeker
14:14
Austria
Alexander Schallenberg will serve as Austria's interim leader after Chancellor Karl Nehammer's resignation, as the far-right Freedom Party begins efforts to form a coalition government.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment