VIENNA: Austria entered uncharted territory on Monday after the far right scored a historic national election win, with parties facing an uphill task to form a new government.

The far-right Freedom Party (FPOe) under Herbert Kickl has rapidly regained ground lost in a string of corruption scandals, winning 28.8 per cent in Sunday`s vote, according to near-complete results. The FPOe beat the ruling conservative People`s Party (OeVP) into second place on 26.3pc, and the left-wing Social Democrats (SPOe) into third on 21.1pc.

But so far all parties have refused to work with Kickl because of his radical proposals. `Winner and what now?` said the daily Kurier`s main headline with a photo of Kickl giving a thumbs-up.

A vocal critic of the European Union and its sanctions against Russia for its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Kickl`s abrasiveness has left him isolated among Austrian lawmakers. Uncertainty over what would happen next dominated Austria, as Kickl`s FPOe could end up being sidelined like some of its far-right allies in Europe.

`Times are changing,` Dutch far-right firebrand Geert Wilders wrote on X after Austria`s election results were announced, listing 11 European countries where nationalist parties were `winning`.

In neighbouring Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orban hailed `another win for the #Patriots`. French farright leader Marine Le Pen expressed `delight` at the `groundswell that carries the defence of national interests, the safeguarding of identities and the resurrection of sovereignties`.-AFP