Austrian Coalition Talks Between far-right FPO, OVP Stall

Coalition negotiations between Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPO) and the conservative People's Party (OeVP) are nearing collapse as both sides have rejected each other's proposals and blamed one another for the impasse. The FPO, which topped the recent parliamentary elections, insists on controlling both the finance and interior ministries, while the OeVP has proposed a different division of ministries and raised concerns about the rule of law and EU partnerships. Leaked negotiation documents reveal significant disagreements on critical issues, including immigration and Russia sanctions. Analysts suggest that if talks fail, snap elections may be imminent, with the FPO polling strongly. Meanwhile, political analysts have noted that FPO leader Herbert Kickl's uncompromising approach mirrors tactics used by populist leaders elsewhere. The situation continues to evolve, with both parties under pressure to reach a resolution swiftly.