The Austrian far-right leader has said in his first comments after being tasked to form a new government that he aspires to “govern Austria honestly” as he prepares for talks on a potential coalition.

Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen has asked the leader of the country's far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) to form a new ruling coalition in what could yield the first far-right-led government in Austria since World War II.

Austria’s Freedom Party, which is starting talks to lead the government, opposes sanctions on Russia and the EU’s support for Ukraine.

Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen said on Monday he had tasked far-right Freedom Party (FPO) leader Herbert Kickl with forming a coalition government after a centrist attempt to assemble a coalition without the FPO collapsed.

Austria's president tasked far-right leader Herbert Kickl with trying to form a government Monday, in a historic move after coalition talks that excluded the Freedom party (FPOe) collapsed.

Austrian far right leader Herbert Kickl outlined key conditions for coalition negotiations with the conservative Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) on Tuesday, stating that the ÖVP must share his commitment to "honest politics.

Following failed coalition negotiations in Austria, a path to power is now opening up for the right-wing Freedom Party leader Herbert Kickl. The 56-year-old holds some radical views, such as on migration.