The eruption of a new scandal involving Austria’s extremist Freedom Party vividly illustrates the problem. Mr. Kurz, a 32-year-old political wunderkind, embarked on a risky experiment when he chose to partner with the far right following a 2017 election, rather than forge a centrist alliance that isolated the extremists. Having gained control of the powerful interior ministry, the Freedom Party cracked down on the anti-extremism unit of the domestic intelligence service. Meanwhile, Mr. Kurz was repeatedly forced to react to racist statements and ads by his coalition partners. In Austria, voters appear to have taken heed: Initial polls show a sharp drop in support for the Freedom Party.

Source: Washington Post May 22, 2019 23:10 UTC