Austria is on the brink of potentially forming its first far-right-led government since World War II, as Austrian Freedom Party leader Herbert Kickl met with the country's president on Monday amid mounting expectations. Kickl's party emerged victorious in the parliamentary election held in September, securing 28.8% of the vote and surpassing the conservative Austrian People's Party led by outgoing Chancellor Karl Nehammer.
Following the election, President Alexander Van der Bellen initially tasked Nehammer with forming a new government. However, Nehammer's party ruled out a coalition with the Freedom Party under Kickl's leadership, leading to failed attempts to establish a governing alliance without the far right. Subsequently, Nehammer announced his resignation on Saturday, paving the way for potential negotiations between the People's Party and the Freedom Party.
