Austria plans snap poll after far-right leader caught in graft scandal

19 May 2019, 3:09 pm

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Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen says he wants snap elections to take place in September after the government collapsed over a corruption scandal which saw far-right Vice-Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache resign in disgrace following explosive revelations in a hidden camera sting.

“My preference is for early elections in September, if possible the beginning of September,” Van der Bellen told journalists after holding talks with Chancellor Sebastian Kurz.

Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen, left, and Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz deliver a press statement after a meeting on May 19, 2019, in Vienna. (HANS PUNZ / APA / AFP)

On Friday, two German newspapers published footage showing Strache openly discussing the possibility of awarding public contracts in return for campaign help for his far-right Freedom Party (FPOe).

— AFP