Christian Kern

Newly sworn-in Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, left, and new Vice Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache, the FPOe’s chairman, talk during the swearing-in ceremony of the new Austrian government in Vienna on December 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak)

July 24, 2018, 2:28 pm

Ritual Jewish slaughter should be ‘verboten,’ Austrian vice chancellor says

Far-right leader Strache contradicts Chancellor Kurz in ongoing debate over animal rights and religious freedom, says issue ‘close to my heart’

By Raphael Ahren

In this photo taken Thursday, April 19, 2012, sausages are displayed in a butcher shop in Klagenfurt, in the southern Austrian province of Carinthia. (AP/Darko Bandic)

July 18, 2018, 10:46 pm

In Austrian tale of kosher meat ban, groups find bone to pick with far right

Local Jews and opposition politicians were stewing after a Freedom Party official proposed limits on ritual slaughter. But he was not the first to cook up the idea

By Raphael Ahren

Austria's Foreign Minister and leader of Austria's center-right People's Party (OeVP) Sebastian Kurz waves to supporters during the party's election event following the general elections in Vienna, Austria, on October 15, 2017. (AFP/ APA / ROBERT JAEGER)

October 16, 2017, 4:17 am

Austrian poised to become Europe’s 1st millennial leader

Howard Kurz, 31, declares victory in national elections; Jewish group voices concern as far-right surges

By Agencies and TOI staff

Demonstrators hold posters 'Nazis get off' during a demonstration against the Austrian Freedom Party FPOe in Vienna, Austria, Friday, Oct. 13, 2017. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak)

October 15, 2017, 6:57 pm

Far right surges in Austria elections; conservative Kurz, 31, declares victory

World Jewish Congress expresses concern over likely return of Freedom Party to government, saying it is full of ‘xenophobes and racists’ and ambiguous about Austria’s Nazi past

By TOI staff and AFP

Leader of the right-wing Austrian Freedom Party (FPOe) Heinz-Christian Strache and his wife Philippa Beck greet the audience during his final campaigning event ahead of the parliamentary elections on October 13, 2017 in Vienna. (AFP/JOE KLAMAR)

October 15, 2017, 6:22 am

Austria heads to polls as Israel warily eyes another boost for far right

Anti-migrant FPOe, founded by Nazis but with views aligning with Netanyahu’s Likud, expected to place high enough for senior spot in ruling coalition under wunderkind Kurz

By Raphael Ahren and AFP

Austrian Chancellor and leader of the Social Democrats (SPOe) Christian Kern speaks to supporters during the last election rally on the eve of the Austrian parliamentary elections on October 14, 2017 in Vienna, Austria. Austria holds snap general elections on Sunday, October 15, 2017.( AFP PHOTO / JOE KLAMAR)

October 14, 2017, 3:14 pm

Austrian chancellor in last-ditch election warning against rise of right

‘Austria is at the most important crossroads in decades,’ says Christian Kern amid predictions the far-right will enter government

By Simon Sturdee and Sophie MAKRIS

In this photo taken Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017, a person passes posters of the right-wing Freedom party, FPOE, and the conservative Austrian People's Party, OEVP, from left, in Vienna, Austria, Wednesday, Oct.11, 2017. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak)

October 12, 2017, 3:11 pm

Austria set for rightward political turn after Sunday vote

Voters in national elections set to reward two major parties that have exploited fears of immigration and Islam

By George Jahn

Chancellor of Austria and chairman of the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPOe), Christian Kern (L) shakes hands with Minister for Foreign Affairs and chairman of the Austrian People's Party (OeVP), Sebastian Kurz (R), upon their arrival on a set of Austrian Plus 4 TV, October 8, 2017 in Vienna. (AFP PHOTO / APA / HERBERT NEUBAUER)

October 9, 2017, 6:52 pm

Austrian party chiefs locked in pre-vote ‘hate duel’

Sebastian Kurz slammed for ‘anti-Semitic’ comment against Christian Kern’s Israeli spin doctor Tal Silberstein

By AFP and TOI staff

Illustrative photo of Muslim women wearing burqas (AFP/Torsten Blackwood/File)

October 1, 2017, 3:21 pm

‘Burqa ban’ law signals rightward political turn in Austria

Law prohibiting full-face coverings takes effect as polls predict victory for anti-migrant parties in October 15 elections

By George Jahn

German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel arrives for a meeting with President Reuven Rivlin at the President's Residence in Jerusalem on April 25, 2017. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

April 26, 2017, 2:54 am

After meeting German FM, B’Tselem calls on world to punish Israel

Netanyahu defends decision to snub Berlin’s top diplomat Sigmar Gabriel over his talks with left-wing advocacy groups

By TOI staff and AP

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a joint press conference with Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem on Tuesday, 25 April 2017. (Haim Zach/GPO)

April 25, 2017, 6:35 pm

Austrian chancellor: EU must contribute more to Mideast peace

In meeting with Netanyahu, Christian Kern says Israel is a role model and he looks forward to increased cooperation

By TOI staff

A combination of picture made on April 23, 2017 shows French presidential election candidate for the En Marche ! movement Emmanuel Macron and French presidential election candidate for the far-right Front National (FN) party Marine Le Pen posing in Paris. (AFP PHOTO / Joël SAGET AND Eric Feferberg)

April 23, 2017, 2:23 pm

Projections put Le Pen, Macron ahead in French presidential race

Netanyahu at Holocaust memorial blames WWII Allies for failing to save Jews; Israel refuses to extradite teen JCC bomb hoaxer to US; 4 injured in terror attack at Tel Aviv beachfront hotels

By Tamar Pileggi

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, center, speaks with Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern, left, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, second left, and Swiss Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, second right, on the opening day of the Gotthard Rail Tunnel in Erstfeld on June 1, 2016. (AFP/Peter Klaunzer/Pool)

February 14, 2017, 11:09 pm

Austrian chancellor praises railway for Nazi resistance

In statement for exhibition at Tel Aviv University, Christian Kern hails the ‘continuous and organized resistance’ of rail workers

By JTA

Austrias's Chancellor Christian Kern (L) and Vice-Chancellor Reinhold Mitterlehner are pictured as they offer their resignation to Austria's new President at the presidential Hofburg Palace in Vienna, Austria, January 26, 2017. (AFP PHOTO / APA / HANS KLAUS TECHT)

January 27, 2017, 12:04 am

Austria’s chancellor recalls country’s role in Holocaust

Ahead of Remembrance Day, Christian Kern reminds citizens ‘to be alert against all racist and anti-Semitic tendencies’

By AP

Pro-Erdogan supporters wave Turkish flags as they gather during a rally against the military coup at Kizilay Square in Ankara, on July 25, 2016. (AFP Photo/Adem Altan)

August 7, 2016, 1:31 am

Austrian FM says against Turkey EU membership bid

Renewed accession bid was part of migrant deal in March, but opposition to move grows amid Ankara’s post-coup crackdown

By AFP