Austria forms coalition government excluding far-right party

Austria's conservative People's Party (ÖVP), Social Democrats (SPÖ), and liberal Neos have reached a coalition agreement, forming a government that excludes the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ), which won the most votes in the September elections. This marks the longest period without a government in Austria since World War II, with the new coalition being the first of its kind since 1949. ÖVP leader Christian Stocker is set to become chancellor, while the coalition will implement policies including temporary suspension of family reunification for asylum seekers and a constitutional ban on headscarves. The agreement comes after a previous attempt in January failed, leading to renewed negotiations under pressure from President Alexander Van der Bellen. The coalition parties control 110 of the 183 seats in the Nationalrat, but must still secure internal party approvals before officially taking office. FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl has condemned the coalition, labeling it a 'coalition of losers' and calling for snap elections.