Heinz-christian Strache

Austria's far-right is gone for now, but the damage is done

It took a corruption scandal to bring down the extreme right in the coalition government, but for the refugees that have suffered under their policies there is no light at the end of the tunnel.

Austria’s far-right party FPOe withdraws support from government coalition

The alleged video scandal puts the government in crisis, with Chancellor Kurz dismissing the far-right interior minister. Now the far-right wants to vote against their former partner. Can the ruling party survive the backlash?

Austria's Kurz faces no-confidence vote after scandal

Footage, published on Friday in German media, shows far-right party leader and Vice-Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache appearing to offer public contracts to a fake Russian backer in return for election campaign help.

Austria announces snap election after far-right video scandal

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz announced the snap poll for September after a German newspaper published covertly filmed footage featuring his far-right coalition partners offering government contracts to purported Russian businesswoman.

Austrian president calls for September snap elections

The announcement came after a dramatic 48 hours in Austrian politics which saw far-right Vice-Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache resign in disgrace following explosive revelations in a hidden camera sting.

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz calls for snap election

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz called for an early election after Vice Chancellor Heinz-Christian Stracher resigned following a video scandal.

Austria’s governing far-right FPO compares immigrants to rats

The group, which was founded by former Nazis, published a poem in Hitler’s home town of Braunau, warning of cultural mixing.

Austrian right-wing party sparks controversy with racist video

Austria's anti-migration far-right Freedom Party (FPO) shared a video on identification card fraud but was forced to take it down.

Austrian far-right sworn into coalition government

Sebastian Kurz was sworn as Austria's new chancellor, making him Europe's youngest leader at age 31, after his Austrian People's Party formed a coalition with the nationalist Freedom Party that is expected to move the country's politics to the right.

New Austrian government rules out referendum on leaving EU

Incoming vice-chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache has in the past been ambivalent about EU membership, calling Brussels a “bureaucratic monster” and saying that Britain will “probably be better off” after it leaves the bloc.

Austria's conservatives form coalition with far-right party

The conservative People’s Party led by Sebastian Kurz reaches a deal with the anti-immigration Freedom Party, paving the way for Austria to become the only western European country with a far-right party in government.