Austria governing coalition to include far-right party

Sebastian Kurz, aged 31, who is set to become the next Austrian chancellor and Europe's youngest head of government, said he aims to reduce the financial burden on and ensure greater security in Austria by tackling illegal immigration.

A coalition deal between Austria's conservative People's Party (OVP) and the anti-immigration Freedom Party (FPO) has been agreed, Austria’s conservative leader Sebastian Kurz has announced, paving the way for the central European country to become the only western European country with a far-right party in government.

"We can inform you that there is a turquoise-blue agreement," Kurz told journalists, referring to the colours of the two parties, at a joint press conference with FPO leader Heinz-Christian Strache.

No further information on the coalition agreement, which had been reached after less than two months of talks, was made available.

Strache and Kurz said the details of their agreement would be presented to the public on Saturday, after a meeting with President Alexander Van der Bellen and discussions with their parties’ leadership structures.

Sebastian Kurz, aged 31, is set to become the next Austrian chancellor and Europe's youngest head of government. He said he aims to reduce the financial burden and ensure greater security in Austria by tackling illegal immigration.