Austrian far-right may rule for first time since World War Two

Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen has asked the leader of the country's far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) to form a new ruling coalition in what could yield the first far-right-led government in Austria since World War Two.

Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen has asked the leader of the country's far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) to form a new ruling coalition in what could yield the first far-right-led government in Austria since World War Two.

FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl “has the confidence to find viable solutions within the framework of government negotiations and he wants to fulfill this responsibility,” Van der Bellen said in a televised address after the two leaders met Monday in Vienna.

“I did not take this step lightly,” he added.

Hundreds of protesters, including Jewish students and left-wing activists, gathered outside the presidential office in Vienna holding banners to boo and whistle, shouting “Nazis out.”

The development marks another boost for far-right lawmakers in Europe, where extreme political parties have gained momentum as incumbent centrists have struggled to build coalitions and hold on to power.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/austrian-far-right-may-rule-first-time-world-war-two-rcna186350

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