Freedom Party-Led Talks to Form Austrian Government Collapse

The party, led by Herbert Kickl, had hoped to be the senior partner in a governing coalition for the first time in its history.

Austrian Freedom Party (FPO) leader Herbert Kickl attends a TV debate, after the first exit polls during the general election, in Vienna, Austria, on Sept. 29, 2024. Lisa Leutner/Reuters

Talks to form the government of Austria broke down in Vienna on Feb. 12 after parties failed to form a coalition.

For the first time, the talks were being led by the Freedom Party (FPO) as the senior member in negotiations after it came first in the parliamentary elections held in September 2024.