Austria Excludes Far-Right in New Coalition

Austria’s traditional political parties have successfully forged a coalition government, effectively shutting out the far-right Freedom Party despite its first-place finish in last September’s election. The agreement, announced Thursday, ends five months of difficult negotiations.

The new governing alliance brings together the center-right People’s Party, the center-left Social Democrats, and the liberal NEOS party, with People’s Party leader Christian Stocker positioned to become chancellor.

Though the Freedom Party secured the most votes with its anti-immigration platform, coalition talks ultimately broke down. The three mainstream parties then united around a comprehensive 200-page plan emphasizing economic reforms, budget measures, and migration policies—including a controversial proposal to ban headscarves for young girls.

Political analysts note that despite being excluded from government, the Freedom Party maintains substantial public support, polling at nearly 35%. Should the new coalition encounter difficulties, the far-right party could strengthen its position before future elections.