Three-party Austria government takes office after a five-month wait for a new government

Christian Stocker, a conservative Christian, has been sworn in as Austria's chancellor. He leads a coalition government formed by the Austrian People's Party (OVP), the centre-left Social Democrats, and the liberal Neos. The coalition agreement was reached after the longest negotiations in post-World War II Austria. The new government faces significant challenges, including rising unemployment, a recession, and a strained budget. A key provision in the coalition agreement is the introduction of strict new asylum rules.