Austria's new government sworn in after months of political deadlock

Austria's new government was sworn in on Monday, ending five months of political deadlock over forming a coalition.

Christian Stocker, leader of the People's Party, took office as chancellor, heading a three-party coalition alongside the Social Democratic Party and NEOS.

Andreas Babler, chairman of the Social Democratic Party, was sworn in as vice chancellor, while NEOS leader Beate Meinl-Reisinger assumed the role of foreign minister.

Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen officiated the swearing-in ceremony on Monday morning.

Last week, the three parties jointly presented their government program.

The formation of the new government marks the end of Austria's longest-ever wait for a new administration following a general election.

In the parliamentary elections last September, the Freedom Party emerged as the leading party with about 29 percent of the vote, followed by the People's Party with 26.3 percent and the Social Democrats with 21.1 percent. NEOS secured fourth place.

Despite winning the most votes, the Freedom Party was initially excluded from coalition negotiations by all major parties.

Van der Bellen first tasked the People's Party with forming a government in October, but its negotiations with the Social Democrats and NEOS collapsed in early January. A subsequent attempt at a People's Party-Social Democratic Party coalition also failed. In mid-January, Van der Bellen granted the Freedom Party a mandate to form a government, but the talks collapsed in mid-February.

In late February, the People's Party, the Social Democratic Party, and NEOS revived their coalition talks and reached an agreement, leading to the formation of the new government.