Austria swears in Europe’s youngest leader

Austria’s president, Alexander Van der Bellen, has sworn in a new chancellor, Sebastian Kurz, of the Austrian People’s party.

Kurz at age 31 is the youngest head of government in Europe.

Kurz’s Austrian People’s Party struck a deal with the Freedom Party headed by Heinz-Christian Strache.

With the new coalition, Austria has become the only western European country with a far-right presence in government.

The two parties, in a coalition treaty, agreed to restrict illegal immigration and speed up deportation of refused asylum seekers, while maintaining a firm commitment to the European Union.

Thousands of people, however, protested outside President Van der Bellen’s office against the coalition especially the far right views of the Freedom Party.

The Freedom Party has been given five ministries with opponents expressing concern that the Freedom Party has control of the Interior, Defence and Foreign ministries.

Freedom Party’s leader, Heinz-Christian Strache, is now vice chancellor.

Kurz’s People’s Party has seven ministers and one deputy, with responsibilities including the Finance, Economy and Justice ministries.

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