Austria’s Far-Right Fails at First Attempt to Form Cabinet

Freedom Party is handing back mandate after talks collapsed
President to discuss further steps with party leaders

Herbert Kickl
Photographer: Alex Halada/AFP/Getty Images

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By Marton Eder

February 12, 2025 at 9:09 AM EST

Updated on

February 12, 2025 at 1:01 PM EST

The first-ever attempt to create a far-right-led government in Austria fell apart on Wednesday after coalition talks collapsed.

Herbert Kickl, leader of Austria’s Freedom Party, ended the process after more than a month of negotiations with the conservative People’s Party. Had they managed to come to an agreement, Austria would have joined a growing list of European nations led by pro-Russian, anti-immigrant politicians.