Austria’s far-right election winner won’t form government. Here’s why
Global News
The conservative Austrian People's Party, the center-left Social Democrats and the liberal Neos agreed on a program for a coalition
Three parties reached a deal on Thursday to form a new centrist Austrian government, two weeks after a far-right party that won an election in September failed to put together an administration.
The conservative Austrian People’s Party, the center-left Social Democrats and the liberal Neos agreed on a program for a coalition after what Christian Stocker, who is expected to become chancellor, called “perhaps the most difficult negotiations on a government in the history of our country.”
Three weeks ago, the country’s politicians broke a post-World War II record of 129 days to form a new government that dated to 1962.
“The challenges are historic and far-reaching,” said Stocker, the new People’s Party leader, pointing to the ongoing war in Ukraine, a creaking Austrian budget and pressure from migration — long a top issue in Austrian politics.
The coalition deal calls for strict new asylum rules in the European Union country of 9 million people. It foresees setting up “return centers” to house rejected asylum-seekers and suspending family reunions. Stocker said the new government will “reserve the right to impose an asylum freeze” if the number of asylum applications increases.
The agreement includes a “mandatory integration program” for all seeking asylum in Austria, which will include tuition in language and values as well as community service.
Stocker also announced that the three parties agreed to work on a headscarf ban for girls under 14 to prevent “segregation and repression.”
Andreas Babler, the Social Democrats’ leader, underlined the need to fix Austria’s budget deficit and said that “broader shoulders can carry heavier loads.” He said the deal includes a levy on banks.
European leaders were stunned earlier this month when Trump's administration made clear that Europe would need to step up to provide its own security.
Ukrainians gathered outside Kelowna City Hall on Monday, just as they did three years ago to mark the anniversary of the war in their home country.
The United States had tried to pressure the Ukrainians to withdraw their resolution in favor of its proposal, including a last-minute appeal by the U.S. deputy ambassador.
Earlier this month, India slashed tariffs on bourbon whisky to 100 per cent from 150 per cent after Trump's criticized "unfair" levies in the South Asian market.
Pope Francis woke up and was continuing his therapies Monday after a quiet night, on the 10th day of his hospitalization for a complex lung infection, the Vatican said.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed during a news conference in Kyiv Sunday evening that he will meet with Justin Trudeau and other foreign leaders in Ukraine during a summit on Monday.
The Vatican said Francis, who has pneumonia in both lungs and had part of one lung removed as a young man, was still receiving high flows of supplemental oxygen.
Those detained include the suspected assailant, a 37-year-old Algerian man identified by prosecutors as Brahim A, described as an Islamic extremist with a schizophrenic profile.
French President Emmanuel Macron labeled the perpetrator an Islamic extremist, and said the government has “complete determination” to respond to the attack.
French President Emmanuel Macron labeled the perpetrator an Islamic extremist, and said the government has “complete determination” to respond to the attack.
French President Emmanuel Macron labeled the perpetrator an Islamic extremist, and said the government has “complete determination” to respond to the attack.
Germans are electing a new parliament Sunday after a campaign focused on the state of Europe’s biggest economy and calls to curb migration.
Hamas on Saturday released the last six living hostages expected under the first phase of its ceasefire with Israel with a week remaining before the deadline.