(ANSA-AFP) - VIENNA, FEB 12 - While negotiating with the
conservatives to form a government, sharp-tongued Herbert Kickl
was within reach of becoming contemporary Austria's first
far-right chancellor. But talks fell apart on Wednesday after
Kickl's Freedom Party (FPOe) lay claims to key posts and
proposed policies on the EU, migration and other issues the
conservative People's Party (OeVP) found unacceptable.
"Together, we wanted to lead Austria back to the top of Europe.
Unfortunately, the OeVP was not ready to make decisive
compromises," Kickl said in a statement, while the OeVP blamed
Kickl's "thirst for power and uncompromising attitude".
Wednesday's failure to form a government marks another dramatic
twist for Kickl, a radical who took over a scandal-tainted FPOe
in 2021 and revitalised it to top national polls for the first
time ever in September. While the FPOe at first failed to find
partners to govern, the conservatives under a fresh leadership
had agreed to coalition talks in January. (ANSA-AFP).
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