31-Year-Old Sworn In As Austria’s New Leader

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31-Year-Old Sworn In As Austria’s New Leader31-Year-Old Sworn In As Austria’s New Leader

Austria’s new chancellor, Sebastian Kurz was sworn in on Monday. At 31, Mr. Kurz is Europe’s youngest leader.

Mr. Kurz’s Austrian People’s Party formed a coalition with the nationalist Freedom Party that is expected to move the country’s politics to the right.

Thousands of people protested outside President Alexander Van der Bellen’s office against the coalition especially the far right views of the Freedom Party.

The two parties have pledged to tighten the country’s asylum and immigration regulations while maintaining a firm commitment to the European Union.

The Freedom Party has been given five ministries with opponents expressing concern that the Freedom Party has control of the Interior, Defence and Foreign ministries. Its leader, Heinz-Christian Strache, is now vice chancellor.

Mr. Kurz’s People’s Party has seven ministers and one deputy, with responsibilities including the Finance, Economy and Justice ministries.