Austria's acting foreign minister, Alexander Schallenberg, took over as acting chancellor on Friday following the resignation of Christian Democrat Karl Nehammer, who stepped down last week after his attempt to form a government with the Social Democrats and Liberals to oust the far-right FPÖ party from power failed.

Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg has been named as the country's caretaker chancellor, filling the void left by the resignation of Karl Nehammer at the weekend.

The Freedom Party and its leader, Herbert Kickl, have steadily built support by demonizing immigrants, while entering Austria’s political mainstream.

The collapse of coalition talks last weeks has could lead to the far-right at the head of the Austrian government for the first time in the post-war era.

VIENNA (AP) — Austrian far-right leader Herbert Kickl said Tuesday in his first comments after being tasked to form a new government that he aspires to “govern Austria honestly” as he prepared for talks on a potential coalition with conservatives who criticized him sharply in the past.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump takes office on January 20 having criticized continued U.S. military aid for Ukraine's fight against Russia. This may shift the onus on support for Kyiv to fall on other allies, particularly in Europe, where a changing political leadership since his election could complicate matters.

Austria's president tasked far-right leader Herbert Kickl with trying to form a government Monday, in a historic move after coalition talks that excluded the Freedom party (FPOe) collapsed.

Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen has asked the leader of the country's far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) to form a new ruling coalition in what could yield the first far-right-led government in Austria since World War II.

The leader of the anti-immigration, pro-Russia Freedom Party has been given the chance to try to form a government after months of coalition talks among mainstream parties collapsed.

Coalition talks in Austria collapsed during the weekend when Chancellor Karl Nehammer resigned, raising the prospect of the far-right Freedom Party forming a government.

Austria is set to become the latest European Union nation to turn to the far right for leadership. The Freedom Party of Austria, founded in the 1950s by former Nazis, is about to take power after three months of political deadlock following September elections.

VIENNA, Austria — A party that advocates an end to economic sanctions against Russia and has called for the “re-migration of uninvited foreigners” could soon give Austria its first government led by the far right since World War II, with a leader who has a provocative style at its helm.