ADVERTISEMENT
Country's far right seeks interior ministry top job in coalition talks
Kurz's conservative OeVP party won 31.5 percent of the vote in Sunday's election, near-complete results show.
Recommended articles
![Dog on a plane (image used for illustrative purpose) [Shutterstock]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20width%3D'100'%20height%3D'100'%20data-ring-placeholder%3D'1'%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E "Dog on a plane (image used for illustrative purpose) [Shutterstock]")
Kurz's conservative OeVP party won 31.5 percent of the vote in Sunday's election, near-complete results show, and the populist Freedom Party (FPOe) came in third on 26.0 percent.
The Social Democrats (SPOe) of incumbent Chancellor Christian Kern came second with 26.9 percent.
"We have several red lines," FPOe chairman Heinz-Christian Strache said in his first press conference since the vote.
ADVERTISEMENT
"The interior ministry is a precondition" for government participation, he added.
Strache, 48, said he saw "no reason to rush" the negotiations, which could begin at the end of the week.
"We will not enter into a coalition at any price," the far-right leader said.
The FPOe, whose rise has mirrored that of other populist parties in Europe, is demanding increased border security, Swiss-style direct democracy and economic reforms.
Its leaders have also said Islam "has no place" in Austria.
ADVERTISEMENT
At 31, Kurz is the world's youngest leader-in-waiting. The conservative is expected to be given a mandate to form a government on Friday.
Kurz on Tuesday had said he expected Austria to play an "active" role in the European Union -- in contrast with the long-held views of the eurosceptic, anti-immigrant FPOe.
Strache did not address Kurz's comments on the EU in his press conference.
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.com.gh
Recommended articles
'Businessman' remanded over robbery of former second lady and others at gunpoint
Efforts underway to bring jailed ex-MASLOC CEO to Ghana to serve prison term - Deputy AG
Green Ghana Day: We have planted 42 million trees nationwide — Lands Minister
'Don't be blind' - Gabby Otchere-Darko gives solid advice on how to choose life partner
How Asantehene helped Charlotte Osei to declare 2016 election result - Kofi Boakye speaks
Educated thief is worse than robber with AK47 - Judge says before jailing ex-MASLOC bosses
I didn't take sitting allowance, or board fees in my 7-year tenure at SSNIT - Ofori-Tenkorang
3 EC staff and student accused of stealing laptops remanded
![Police officers questioned the woman (image used for illustrative purpose [Adobe Stock]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20width%3D'300'%20height%3D'172'%20data-ring-placeholder%3D'1'%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E "Police officers questioned the woman (image used for illustrative purpose [Adobe Stock]")