New Austrian leader: last chance for mainstream parties against far-right

Record ID: 103222

  • Title: New Austrian leader: last chance for mainstream parties against far-right
  • Date: 17th May 2016
  • Summary: VIENNA, AUSTRIA (MAY 17, 2016) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF DESIGNATED AUSTRIAN CHANCELLOR CHRISTIAN KERN ARRIVING FOR STATEMENT PHOTOGRAPHERS (SOUNDBITE) (German) DESIGNATED AUSTRIAN CHANCELLOR, CHRISTIAN KERN, SAYING: "I am convinced that if we have now not understood that this is our last chance, then the two major parties and this government will disappear from the picture, and that would be justified." KERN SPEAKING SOCIAL DEMOCRATS (SPO) LOGO/KERN LISTENING TO JOURNALIST (SOUNDBITE) (German) DESIGNATED AUSTRIAN CHANCELLOR, CHRISTIAN KERN, SAYING (ASKED IF HUMANITY IS NEEDED IN DEALING WITH MIGRANTS): "Yes, humanity, but there is also a clear need in this country for subjective security that must be taken seriously. And logically, there is the expectation of a system which allows for social coexistence. But regarding this issue the focus must be clearly on integration measures." MEDIA/KERN SPEAKING KERN'S HANDS (SOUNDBITE) (German) DESIGNATED AUSTRIAN CHANCELLOR, CHRISTIAN KERN, SAYING: "One thing is clear: this is a problem that Austria cannot solve alone. Therefore we need European solidarity and not just empty words. This is a task that we must tackle together. This continent offers eastern Europe a host of advantages in the partnership we have developed, so we can expect that everybody does their part, including those that have not done so far." SPO LOGO KERN LEAVING
  • Embargoed: 1st June 2016 16:16
  • Keywords: Austria SPO Christian Kern
  • Location: VIENNA, AUSTRIA
  • City: VIENNA, AUSTRIA
  • Country: Austria
  • Topics: Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA0014I73RD3
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Austria's designated chancellor, Christian Kern, said on Tuesday (May 17) the country's mainstream parties have one last chance to remain in power without selling their souls to the far-right.
    "If we have now not understood that this is our last chance, then the two major parties and this government will disappear from the picture, and that would be justified," Kern told his first news conference since being named chancellor.
    Kern said the democrats would prefer to keep governing with the conservatives, but he did not rule out ties between his Social Democrats (SPO) and the far-right Freedom Party (FPO). He said the country needed to focus on integration and called for more solidarity from eastern European countries in tackling the migrant influx.
    The 50-year-old head of Austria's state railway is set to be sworn in as chancellor later on Tuesday after the SPO united behind him to replace Werner Faymann. Faymann stepped down last week after the SPO's humiliating showing in presidential elections.
    The SPO and its coalition partner, the conservative People's Party, have suffered a series of electoral losses in recent years. They must either work together in government until 2018 or face an early parliamentary election that the FPO would most likely win.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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