Austrian far-right leader Herbert Kickl has been invited to form a government in a historic step for the country, after moderate parties failed to agree on a deal to keep him out of power.
Mr Kickl, who leads the Freedom Party of Austria (FPO), has been asked to enter coalition talks with the centre-right Austrian People's Party (OVP) to end a three-month impasse. The FPO received the most votes at a general election in October, the first time a far-right party has won in polls in Austria since the Second World War.
Centre-right chancellor Karl Nehammer sought to keep Mr Kickl out of power by forming a coalition with Austria's social democrats and liberals. But talks broke down over the New Year and Mr Nehammer announced his resignation at the weekend.
His successor as centre-right leader, Christian Stocker, indicated he was willing to work under a far-right government, in what Austrian President Alexander van der Bellen called a "new situation". Mr van der Bellen added that he "did not take this step lightly", after asking Mr Kickl to enter coalition talks.
Austria's government "must be robust" and have a reliable majority in parliament, Mr van der Bellen said. Anti-far right protesters gathered outside the presidential palace as he held talks with Mr Kickl, booing and chanting "Nazis out".
The President spoke of a difficult economic and financial environment in which a new government may have to take unpopular measures. The centrist parties could not agree on how to shrink Austria's budget deficit, which is forecast to exceed the EU's limit of three per cent of economic output in 2024 and 2025.
Talks between the conservatives and hard right are not guaranteed to succeed but there are no realistic alternatives left in the new parliament. The other option would be a snap election which polls suggest might strengthen the Freedom Party further.
Unlike the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), the FPO in Austria has been in government as a junior partner before, including between 2017 and 2019 when Mr Kickl served as interior minister. That coalition with the OVP ended amid a Russian corruption scandal exposed by footage filmed secretly in Ibiza.
Mr Kickl campaigned during the election against "remigration" and called for a ban on political Islam. The Russia-friendly party, which fiercely opposed Covid-19 lockdowns, also said Austria had sacrificed its neutrality and independence to the EU and World Health Organisation.
Critics have compared the FPO's rhetoric to the Nazi era. Mr van der Bellen has repeatedly said he will remain vigilant to ensure "cornerstones of democracy" including human rights, independent media and Austria's membership of the European Union are respected.
Company Profile
Company name: Yeepeey
Started: Soft launch in November, 2020
Founders: Sagar Chandiramani, Jatin Sharma and Monish Chandiramani
Based: Dubai
Industry: E-grocery
Initial investment: $150,000
Future plan: Raise $1.5m and enter Saudi Arabia next year
Winners
Ballon d’Or (Men’s)
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain / France)
Ballon d’Or Féminin (Women’s)
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona / Spain)
Kopa Trophy (Best player under 21 – Men’s)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain)
Best Young Women’s Player
Vicky López (Barcelona / Spain)
Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper – Men’s)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City / Italy)
Best Women’s Goalkeeper
Hannah Hampton (England / Aston Villa and Chelsea)
Men’s Coach of the Year
Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain)
Women’s Coach of the Year
Sarina Wiegman (England)
Company%20Profile
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Our Time Has Come
Alyssa Ayres, Oxford University Press
The%20specs
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
