Europe

Austria's Far-Right May Help Lead Parliament If It Can Be Pro-EU

Austria's conservative People's Party has invited the far-right Freedom Party to negotiations for forming a coalition government.

Austria's Far-Right May Help Lead Parliament If It Can Be Pro-EU
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The far-right is one step closer to helping lead Austria's government. 

Sebastian Kurz made headlines earlier this month after the 31-year-old led his conservative People's Party to victory in the parliamentary election. 

The People's Party got a little less than a third of the vote — meaning it has to work with another group to create a parliamentary majority. 

Kurz announced Tuesday he and his party have invited the far-right Freedom Party to negotiate for a coalition government. 

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The choice isn't a huge surprise, since the two groups campaigned with similar positions. Both pushed for stricter limits on immigration and refugees — two of the election's biggest issues. 

But Kurz said Tuesday that one of the basic requirements for his new government will be a "clear pro-European orientation." In the past, the Freedom Party pushed for Austria to leave the European Union. 

If the Freedom Party's leader accepts Kurz's invitation, negotiations could begin Wednesday