Far-right enters government in Austria

By Ayhan Simsek

BERLIN (AA) - Austria’s centre-right OVP (People's Party) has reached an agreement with the far-right FPO (Freedom Party) to form a coalition government, after eight weeks of intense negotiations following an election in October.

The OVP’s young leader Sebastian Kurz and FPO leader Heinz-Christian Strache told reporters on Friday night that the two parties agreed on a government program for the next five years.

The 31-year old Kurz, who was set to become Austria’s next Chancellor and the world’s youngest leader, said the new coalition government would focus on addressing the concerns of citizens, and take steps to relieve tax payers, improve security and counter illegal migration.

“We are happy for assuming responsibility for our wonderful, beautiful homeland,” the far-right FPO’s leader Strache said.

The conservative OVP won the parliamentary election on Oct. 15 by capturing 31.6 percent of the vote, but fell short of an absolute majority in parliament. The anti-immigration FPO got 26 percent.

Austrian Daily Die Presse reported that the far-right FPO would get several key ministerial posts, including the Defense Minister and Interior Minister, according to the coalition agreement.

A non-party candidate, former diplomat and expert Karin Kneissl was expected to become the next foreign minister, after she was suggested by the FPO for this position.