Even so, according to polls, the FPÖ will do still better if snap elections are held. Kronen Zeitung, Austria’s largest-circulation tabloid, published a poll on January 5th that put the FPÖ at 37% of the vote, which would give them around 40% of the seats in parliament. That should focus the minds of the ÖVP ’s negotiators. ■

Herbert Kickl received a mandate to try to form what would be the first national government led by the far-right since the Second World War.

Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen gave the green light to far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) leader Herbert Kickl to attempt and form the new ruling coalition after the two met in Vienna on Monday.

Political developments are sounding alarm bells in Austria. Critics worry the man asked to form government could bring back the country's dark past. Nathaniel Dove explores the roots of the political party in question and what the change could mean for the country and Europe.