Austria could soon have its first government led by the far right since World War II.

The leader of Austria’s Freedom Party received a mandate Monday to form a new government, which would be the first headed by the far right since World War II if he succeeds.

Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen says he will meet with far-right politician Herbert Kickl as speculation grows that he will ask the Freedom Party leader to form a government.

The Freedom Party has secured the first far-right national parliamentary election victory in post-World War II Austria.

Austria’s far-right Freedom Party could win a national election for the first time when Austria votes on Sunday.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has presented a new alliance with Austria’s far-right Freedom Party and the main Czech opposition party, which hopes to attract other partners and become the biggest right-wing group in the European Parliament.

Austria’s parliament has voted to introduce a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for adults from Feb. 1, the first of its kind in Europe.

Tens of thousands of protesters, many from far-right groups, have marched through Vienna after the Austrian government announced a nationwide lockdown to contain skyrocketing coronavirus infections.

Austria has taken what its leader called the “dramatic” step of implementing a nationwide lockdown for unvaccinated people who haven’t recently had COVID-19.

Austria’s far-right Freedom Party has nominated Herbert Kickl, the country’s combative former interior minister, as its new leader.