Austrian Chancellor Nehammer Quits as Coalition Talks Fail

  • Attempts to form a centrist coalition collapsed Saturday
  • Political turmoil could benefit far-right Freedom Party

Karl Nehammer

Photographer: Liesa Johannssen-Koppitz/Bloomberg
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Austria’s Chancellor Karl Nehammer said he’ll step down as head of government and chairman of the conservative People’s Party after failing to form a new coalition following September elections.

The move raises the chances of repeat elections, while the conservatives could also appoint a leader who, unlike Nehammer, is willing to form a government with the far-right Freedom Party, which won the most seats at the September ballot.