Sebastian Kurz

Austrian politician

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July 20, 2026

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Sebastian Kurz is an Austrian politician who became Europe's youngest head of government in December 2017, at the age of 31. He led the Austrian People's Party to victory in the October 2017 general election, forming a coalition government with the Freedom Party. Kurz had previously served as foreign minister and, prior to the election, shifted his party's platform to the right, adopting anti-immigrant rhetoric similar to the Freedom Party. His political ascent marked a significant shift in Austrian politics, with his party tacking hard right and embracing themes that had previously been championed by the far-right Freedom Party.12

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Austria
Austria in the European Union
…Party, under telegenic new leader Sebastian Kurz, tacked hard right in the months prior to the election and embraced much of the Freedom Party’s anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim rhetoric. Kurz, who had served as foreign minister in the “grand coalition” government, revived the flagging fortunes of the mainstream conservative party, and…
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…Party, under telegenic new leader Sebastian Kurz, tacked hard right in the months prior to the election and embraced much of the Freedom Party’s anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim rhetoric. Kurz, who had served as foreign minister in the “grand coalition” government, revived the flagging fortunes of the mainstream conservative party, and…
Read More