Austria’s President Alexander Van der Bellen tasked Chancellor Karl Nehammer with forming a new government after the far-right Freedom Party, led by Herbert Kickl, won 28.8% of the vote in last month’s parliamentary election.

Traditionally, the leader of the strongest party is asked to form a government, but with a stalemate in negotiations and Nehammer’s conservative People’s Party refusing to partner with Kickl, the president opted for Nehammer instead.

The People’s Party garnered 26.3%, while the center-left Social Democrats received 21.1%.

Nehammer is expected to seek a coalition with the Social Democrats, which would provide a narrow majority in parliament, the Associated Press has reported.

Kickl vowed to continue seeking a coalition, insisting the government should be led by the Freedom Party, reflecting its voter support.

Written by B.C. Begley