Austria far right scores historic win in national vote

Vienna: Austria s far right topped national elections on Sunday, marking a historic victory, but the party is expected to struggle to find partners wi...

Vienna: Austria's far right topped national elections on Sunday, marking a historic victory, but the party is expected to struggle to find partners with whom they can govern.

While the Freedom Party (FPOe) has served in coalition governments before, this is the first time it has won a national vote, as far-right parties across Europe have made gains.

All other parties however have so far rejected forming a coalition with the FPOe's sharp-tongued leader Herbert Kickl.

"We have written a piece of history together today...," 55-year-old Kickl told cheering party supporters in Vienna. "We have opened a door to a new era."

The FPOe won 28.8 percent of votes, beating the ruling conservative People's Party (OeVP) into second place on 26.3 percent, according to near-complete results.