Vienna (Reuters) – Talks to form a coalition government led by Austria’s far-right Freedom Party (FPO) are set to begin on Friday, as thousands protest in Vienna against the prospect of the country’s first FPO-led government.
The eurosceptic, Russia-friendly FPO won September’s parliamentary election with around 29% of the vote but was initially sidelined as centrist parties tried to form a ruling coalition without it. That effort failed, and FPO leader Herbert Kickl was tasked with forming a government.
Protesters carrying placards reading “Nazis out” and “History is repeating itself” gathered in the square between the offices of the president and the chancellor, chanting “Kickl out” and “Our republic is at a crossroads, the threat of an extreme right-wing chancellor looms and with him an attack on democracy, human rights, judiciary, independent media and social cohesion in our country.”
More than 10,000 protesters packed tightly together on the square and streets leading into it, whistling, jeering, and shining their phone lights towards the chancellor’s office.
The OVP, which under former Chancellor Karl Nehammer said it would not govern with Kickl, now says it prefers to reach a coalition deal with Kickl to holding a snap election. Kickl has been tasked with forming a government and is expected to lead Austria’s first FPO-led government.