Austria’s far-right Freedom Party (FPO), led by Heinz-Christian Stratche, has joined the government coalition, with its leader Heinz-Christian Strache appointed as vice-chancellor, to the dismay of Jewish leaders across Europe.
The party has secured the Interior, Foreign and Defense Ministries after the deal was approved by Austria’s President Alexander Van der Bellen, according to Reuters.
OVP People’s Party leader Sebastian Kurz becomes Austria’s new chancellor under the deal. His party will run the finance, justice and agriculture ministries, according to the report.
The FPO was founded by Nazis 60 years ago, but has since attempted to change its image, with its current leader having visited the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Museum in Jerusalem.
