Most recently, the economy shrank by 0.1% quarter-on-quarter in the third quarter of 2024, revised downwards from an initial +0.3%. Unless an economic miracle happened at the end of last year, with the economy having defied gravity like the Wicked Witch of the West, 2024 will have marked the second consecutive year of recession.

Austria looks set to get it's first far-right chancellor with the Freedom Party taking control of the next government. As a foreigner in the country, are you worried? Share your views in a quick survey.

Lena Schilling and Heinz-Christian Strache for the first time in a duel on krone.tv: in their premiere, the Green MEP and the former FPÖ leader

The far-right Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ) and the conservative People's Party (ÖVP), currently negotiating a coalition government in the Alpine state, are planning massive attacks on the working class and on migrants.

Herbert Kickl on his way out of Vienna's Hofburg Palace following talks with Austria's president, Alexander Van der Bellen, earlier this month. | Credit: Joe Klamar / AFP / "Vienna could be about to get its first far-right leader since WWII,

New Year's Eve event of the Freedom Party of Austria (FPOE) near Vienna with the participation of its chairman Herbert Kickl. Camera: MAX SLOVENCIK. FOOTAGE OF THE NEW YEAR'S RECEPTION OF THE CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC UNION PARTY (CDU) NORTH RHINE-WESTPHALIA.

In Austria, Herbert Kickl, leader of the Freedom Party, is poised to potentially become chancellor with promises to "remigrate" migrants and downplay the role of the SS in the Holocaust. Similarly, populist movements in Germany,

Since then, the conservatives have agreed to form a government with the far-right under a Chancellor Kickl. Kickl has successfully lobbied by promising the capital associations that he would implement the economic programme of the conservatives if he could take over the chancellery and important ministries.

The (Socialist Equality Party, SGP) is contesting the federal elections to oppose the all-party coalition advocating war and austerity.

Austria, the birthplace of Adolf Hitler, is set to welcome its first far-right Chancellor since World War II, in the form of Freedom Party head Herbert Kickl.

Herbert Kickl faces a rocky road to Brussels if the Freedom Party politician is indeed elected as Austria's next chancellor.

ECB rate-setter also warns that inflation risks are on the rise and that a January rate cut is not a done deal.