Austria To Form Conservative-led Coalition Government

Feb 27, Kathmandu- Austria's conservative People's Party (OeVP) announced a coalition government with two centrist parties on Thursday.

After the Freedom Party (FPOE) won around 29 percent in the elections, this agreement has brought to an end the months long negotiations.

Talks between the FPOE and the OeVP about Austria's first far-right-led government broke down this month.

The OeVP, Social Democrats (SPÖ) and the Liberals resumed coalition talks after their first attempt to form a government failed in January.

OeVP leader Christian Stocker said a “common program” had been agreed with the SPÖ and Liberals and would be presented on Thursday.

"Working day and night for the joint program has been going on for the last few days," the statement issued by the party said.

President Alexander Van der Bellen has called on party leaders to reach a quick agreement amid the country's longest government in modern history. The OeVP, which has ruled the country of about 9 million people since 1987, has previously formed coalitions with the SPÖ several times.