Austrian Coalition Talks Collapse, Averting, for Now, a Far-Right Chancellor

An effort by the head of Austria’s Freedom Party to form a coalition government collapsed on Wednesday, ending, for now, his chances of leading the country’s first far-right national government since World War II.

The Freedom Party’s leader, Herbert Kickl, and the conservative Austrian People’s Party failed to reach an agreement on forming a coalition, leaving the country without a government or a clear answer about what happens next.

Mr. Kickl’s party won 29 percent of the vote when Austrians went to the polls in September. But four months after that vote and numerous rounds of negotiations, Austrian politicians have been unable to form a government.

Initially, three centrist parties tried to form a coalition that would have kept the far-right Freedom Party out of government. That effort failed earlier this year, when liberal and conservative parties, including the People’s Party, could not make a deal.

The most recent talks between the People’s Party and the Freedom Party collapsed on Wednesday over policy disagreements on migration and national security. Mr. Kickl’s party sought to control the Interior Ministry to help push its anti-immigrant agenda. But the People’s Party balked, fearing that foreign intelligence agencies would cease cooperating with the ministry, which also controls Austria’s intelligence agency, if it was seen to be too far right.

“Herbert Kickl got the most votes, but that doesn’t justify his taking all the power,” said Christian Stocker, the chair of the People’s Party, after the talks collapsed.

It remains unclear what will come next. Austria’s president, Alexander Van der Bellen, said on Wednesday that he would speak with political leaders to seek a way forward.

“Liberal democracy thrives on compromise, on balancing different interests,” Mr. Van der Bellen said. “ This is the only way a society can remain stable and be successful in the long term.”

Two smaller parties — the liberal NEOS and SPÖ, a social democrat party, which were part of earlier talks — have signaled their willingness to try to create a government with the conservatives, but Mr. Van der Bellen could also decide to try to form a caretaker government to lead the country until early elections are held.

That option would benefit Mr. Kickl and the Freedom Party, whose popularity has increased since last year’s election, according to polls.