Summary
Austria’s President Alexander Van der Bellen has tasked Herbert Kickl, leader of the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ), with forming a new government after the collapse of coalition talks among centrist parties.
The FPÖ won 28.8% in the September election, surpassing the conservative Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP).
Initially excluded, Kickl is now engaging in coalition talks with the ÖVP, reflecting a shift in political dynamics.
This has drawn parallels to Germany, where far-right AfD leaders predict similar political breakthroughs despite current resistance from mainstream parties.
Sucks for… Well, almost everyone else in Europe but at least Syrian refugees will be able to go home before the nonsense starts in earnest I guess.