Austria's first three-party government since the aftermath of World War Two took office on Monday, ending the country's longest-ever wait for a ruling coalition and keeping the Russia-friendly, far-right Freedom Party (FPO) out of power.

VIENNA (AP) — Austria’s new government took office on Monday, with Christian Stocker taking over as chancellor at the head of a previously untried three-party coalition after a record five-month wait for a new administration.

Austria's new three-party coalition government comprising the conservative Austrian People's Party (ÖVP), the Social Democratic Party (SPÖ) and the liberal NEOS was sworn in on Monday, ending months of political deadlock in the Alpine nation.