<h1>Austrian Freedom Party to Form Government; First Far-Right Leadership Since WWII with Coalition Talks Underway.</h1> The Austrian Freedom Party, led by its leader, has been given a mandate to form a new government, potentially marking the first time a far-right party leads Austria since World War II. After the Freedom Party won the parliamentary elections with 28.8% of the vote, attempts by the outgoing Chancellor's conservative Austrian People's Party to form a government without the far-right failed. The President has now tasked the Freedom Party leader with negotiating a coalition with the People's Party. The Freedom Party's platform includes strict immigration controls and a critical stance on EU and Western policies. Economic and geopolitical challenges await the new government.