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.
Results
Light Flyweight (49kg): Mirzakhmedov Nodirjon (UZB) beat Daniyal Sabit (KAZ) by points 5-0.
Flyweight (52kg): Zoirov Shakhobidin (UZB) beat Amit Panghol (IND) 3-2.
Bantamweight (56kg): Kharkhuu Enkh-Amar (MGL) beat Mirazizbek Mirzahalilov (UZB) 3-2.
Lightweight (60kg): Erdenebat Tsendbaatar (MGL) beat Daniyal Shahbakhsh (IRI) 5-0.
Light Welterweight (64kg): Baatarsukh Chinzorig (MGL) beat Shiva Thapa (IND) 3-2.
Welterweight (69kg): Bobo-Usmon Baturov (UZB) beat Ablaikhan Zhussupov (KAZ) RSC round-1.
Middleweight (75kg): Jafarov Saidjamshid (UZB) beat Abilkhan Amankul (KAZ) 4-1.
Light Heavyweight (81kg): Ruzmetov Dilshodbek (UZB) beat Meysam Gheshlaghi (IRI) 3-2.
Heavyweight (91kg): Sanjeet (IND) beat Vassiliy Levit (KAZ) 4-1.
Super Heavyweight ( 91kg): Jalolov Bakhodir (UZB) beat Kamshibek Kunkabayev (KAZ) 5-0.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Profile
Company: Libra Project
Based: Masdar City, ADGM, London and Delaware
Launch year: 2017
Size: A team of 12 with six employed full-time
Sector: Renewable energy
Funding: $500,000 in Series A funding from family and friends in 2018. A Series B round looking to raise $1.5m is now live.
Like a Fading Shadow
Antonio Muñoz Molina
Translated from the Spanish by Camilo A. Ramirez
Tuskar Rock Press (pp. 310)
Where can I submit a sample?
Volunteers can now submit DNA samples at a number of centres across Abu Dhabi. The programme is open to all ages.
Collection centres in Abu Dhabi include:
- Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
- Biogenix Labs in Masdar City
- Al Towayya in Al Ain
- NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City
- Bareen International Hospital
- NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
- NMC Royal Medical Centre - Abu Dhabi
- NMC Royal Women’s Hospital.
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
