AUSTRIANS VOTE WITH CONSERVATIVES IN LEAD

Austria’s popular conservative leader Sebastian Kurz is hoping for success in a parliamentary election on Sunday that was triggered by the collapse of his coalition with the far-right Freedom Party (FPOE) in May.

Kurz has not ruled out that he will attempt another cooperation with the FPOE, but he has made clear that he will also look at other options, such as a cabinet that could include the Greens and the liberal Neos.

Polls in recent months have had Kurz’s People’s Party (OEVP) on around 34 per cent of the vote, which would mean a second straight victory for him after the last election in 2017.

“We are optimistic. We have a clear goal for this election: To be number one,” Kurz told reporters after he cast his ballot in Vienna.

Banking on tax cuts and his anti-immigration policies, Kurz has emerged largely unscathed from the video scandal that brought down his government and cost him his job as chancellor in a no-confidence vote.

In contrast, the FPOE is still reeling from the so-called Ibiza video, which showed party leader Heinz-christian Strache discussing infrastructure and media deals with a woman posing as a wealthy Russian donor in 2017.

While the originators of the footage shot on the Spanish island remain unknown, Strache stepped down as vice chancellor and FPOE chief, and is now under investigation for possible abuse Sebastian Kurz.

of power.three days before the elections, prosecutors announced that they also suspect Strache of having defrauded his own party, despite his monthly 10,000euro (11,000-dollar) expenses account.

“Today is full of suspense, because the difficulties of the past weeks and months pose a heavy challenge,” new FPOE leader Norbert Hofer told reporters after voting in his hometown in Pinkafeld. THEHINDU,29TH SEPTEMBER, 2019

Polls in recent months have had Kurz’s People’s Party (OEVP) on around 34 per cent of the vote, which would mean a second straight victory for him after the last election in 2017