Austrian leader reassures Brussels of pro-EU stance

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Austria's new leader has insisted that his country retains a pro-European outlook even as EU officials betray anxiety about the inclusion of a far-right party in his governing coalition.

A day after he took office, Chancellor Sebastian Kurz traveled to Brussels on Tuesday seeking to dispel concerns that his alliance with the Freedom Party (FPO) spells trouble for the European Union.

He met EU officials in the wake of a congratulatory letter that European Council President Donald Tusk had written to Kurz on Monday highlighting EU worries.

The 31-year-old conservative leader had followed up the letter with a tweet saying his new government would be "clear pro-European and committed to making a positive contribution to the future development of the EU."

Sebastian Kurz (L), Austria's chancellor, receives a document from Alexander Van der Bellen, Austria's president, during the inauguration of the new federal government in Vienna, December 18, 2017. /VCG Photo

At a joint news conference in Brussels, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said he would judge Kurz's government by its deeds.

"This government has a clear pro-European stance. That is what is important for me," Juncker said.

The EU executive has responded to October's election with little of the outrage that greeted the FPO's first taste of government in Austria 17 years ago.

The FPO has distanced itself from its Nazi-apologist, anti-Semitic past, while surges in irregular immigration and militant attacks have pushed the European political mainstream rightward, leading to a much more muted reaction than in 2000.

But a French member of the Commission was wary: "Things are doubtless different from the previous time, in 2000," tweeted Socialist former Finance Minister Pierre Moscovici. "But the presence of the far right in government is never without consequences."

Confirmation of the FPO's return to a share of power raises concern that small, wealthy Austria will be an intractable voice on EU asylum reform and efforts to increase the EU budget.

Newly sworn-in Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (R) and new Vice Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache, leader of the far-right Freedom Party, give a press conference after their first cabinet meeting in Vienna, Austria, December 19, 2017. /VCG Photo

Speaking in Brussels, Kurz said he would make it Austria's task to bridge the gap between EU member states in the east and the west, adding his country would fight to stop illegal immigration into the EU.

In a letter of congratulation to Kurz, Tusk made clear his concerns about the new coalition in Austria.

"I trust that the Austrian government will continue to play a constructive and pro-European role in the European Union," Tusk wrote, noting that Austria will from July enjoy six months of influence in Brussels as chair of EU ministerial councils.

Germany and France, the EU's lead powers, also indicated a vigilance about Austria in their comments on Monday which highlighted Kurz's pledges to foster European cooperation.

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Source(s): Reuters