The ÖVP wanted the FPÖ – which has criticised EU sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine – to clarify its position on Moscow, insisting a future government must see Russia “as a threat”, according to a confidential document revealed by the media.
Austria’s Freedom party (FPÖ) has ended coalition talks with the conservatives on forming the country’s first far-right-led government after disagreements over key posts and issues such as migration.
The FPÖ – which topped national polls for the first time in September – has been negotiating with the long-ruling conservative People’s party (ÖVP) since early January.
Conservative-led efforts to rule without the FPÖ after the September vote failed in early January and efforts to form a government reached a record length of time last week.
But cracks appeared last week, with the far-right leader Herbert Kickl insisting his party wanted to hold the interior and finance ministries – demands the ÖVP has rejected.
