Far-right FPO leader Kickl casts vote in Austria’s general election

Former interior minister is front-runner in polls for months

By Askin Kiyagan

VIENNA (AA) – Herbert Kickl, leader of the far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPO) who is leading in the polls, cast his vote in the general election on Sunday.

Kickl, a former interior minister, voted at a nursing home in the town of Purkersdorf, near Vienna.

Asked about the Austrian People’s Party (OVP) announcing it would not enter into coalition talks with the FPO after the election, Kickl said he respected the voters' decisions and that such matters would be addressed once the results were in.

Regarding his expectations for the election, Kickl highlighted his campaign slogan, "5 Good Years," noting that this message resonated strongly with the public.

Austria, with a population of around 9 million, has 6.4 million eligible voters. Polls are set to close at 5 p.m. local time (1500GMT).

The FPO supports deporting migrants, cutting down on asylum approvals and admitting fewer migrants.

*Writing by Gizem Nisa Cebi in Istanbul

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