Austria’s Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen has officially tasked the right-wing Freedom Party (FPÖ) with forming a government. This decision follows failed coalition talks between the conservative People’s Party (ÖVP) and the Social Democrats (SPÖ). The FPÖ, which won nearly 29% of the votes in September’s parliamentary election, is now in a position to negotiate a coalition, although differences in foreign and security policy remain with the ÖVP.