Heinz-Christian Strache stepped down as vice-chancellor on Saturday, a day after German media published footage secretly recorded in Ibiza in 2007. The FPO leader said no crime took place and blamed a “targeted political assassination” for his downfall. In reality, the FPO has been the architect of its own problems – undone by scandal and by the failings of its leaders. Even factoring in the decline in the FPO’s support since the Strache scandal, the party remains on a significant 18 per cent in opinion polls. In bringing down the government, the chancellor has gambled that the FPO will collapse.

Source: The Irish Times May 20, 2019 23:03 UTC