Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz called for snap elections after his junior coalition partner stumbled over a video showing its leader promising government contracts in return for campaign funding. Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen, who’s in charge of appointing and dismissing governments, will speak later tonight. A new coalition with the Freedom Party may not be possible after the video scandal, be it for lack of votes or backing in Kurz’s People’s Party. The People’s Party first attempt to govern with the Freedom Party failed in 2002 after just two years and snap elections ended with victory for the conservatives and defeat for the nationalists. The Freedom Party denies any wrongdoing.

Source: National Post May 18, 2019 18:33 UTC