Austria’s president to meet far-right leader amid coalition speculation

New path' to power may be opening for FPO after collapse of talks between country's centrist parties

Austria's president has said he will meet the leader of the country's far-right Freedom party (FPO), amid speculation that the pro-Kremlin, anti-Islam party will be tasked with trying to form a government after centrist parties failed to find agreement.

The Alpine country of 9 million has been plunged into political crisis after the collapse of coalition talks aimed at keeping the far right out of government. On Sunday it appeared the FPO - narrowly the most voted-for party in September's parliamentary elections - would be most likely to benefit from the turmoil.