Speaking after the formation of a coalition government in Austria, where the far-right Freedom party will hold various key ministries, S&D Group President Gianni Pittella said:
"We are deeply concerned about the formation of an extreme right government in Austria. This could have very dangerous consequences, it is a leap in the dark that risks taking us back to the darkest times in our history. The S&D Group will keep a vigilant eye on every single act of the Austrian government that could jeopardize our European values and principles. Nothing can be predetermined but it must be clear that nothing is excluded either - even sanctions or infringement procedures if key EU values are threatened."
