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Sebastian Kurz, also known as "Wunderwuzzi" has successfully rebranded the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) and looks set to propel them into Government in the coming elections. The vote could spell trouble for the EU as 31-year-old Mr Kurz has not ruled out a partnership with the nationalist Freedom Party (FPO). The hard right group almost seized power in the presidential elections last year sending waves of fear across the bloc. Now, the parties could join making a right wing partnership which would challenge the bloc’s ideologies. The coalition between the ruling Social Democratic Party (SPÖ) of Chancellor Christian Kern and the ÖVP collapsed in May.

The SPÖ and the ÖVP deciding not to govern together means there is an actual chance of the FPÖ ending up in a governing coalition

Professor Peter Filzmaier, a political scientist with Austria's Krems and Graz universities, said Mr Kurz’s rebranding of the ÖVP is "unprecedented in Austrian politics, but also quite logical." He told Die Welt: "The SPÖ and the ÖVP deciding not to govern together means there is an actual chance of the FPÖ ending up in a governing coalition.” Foreign Minister Mr Kurz has vowed to shake up the Government in Austria and clamp down on migrants. His plans include slashing benefits from migrants, including those from the EU.

GETTY/ REUTERS Sebastian Kurz, 31, could be set to become the youngest country leader in the European Union

The slick politician claims credit for closing the Balkan migrant trail in 2016 in his role as integration and foreign minister. "We were right to close the Balkan route and I will fight for the Mediterranean route to be closed too," he said in Graz. Mr Kurz, whose nickname means "walk on water" has rebranded the centre right party, stripping the name from poster campaigns and changing its affiliate colours. He told an election rally in Austria."October 15 is our chance for change in this country. "And dear friends, to be honest, it is time for change."

GETTY Sebastian Kurz has rebranded the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP)

The vote will take place on October 15, when 8.75 million people head to the polls. Following a trend among the right wing, Mr Kurz has brought experts into his party who have no political experience. Among them - a quadriplegic former pole vaulter. Mr Kurz has an opinion poll lead of around nine points - above the two main parties he is looking to beat to become the EU’s youngest head of state. The FPO, Austria's anti-immigration Freedom Party expelled one of its officials in Tyrol province over reports he had displayed Nazi paraphernalia in the back of his pharmacy, a party spokesman said on Wednesday. The FPO, which is fighting with the Social Democrats for the second place in parliamentary elections, has on previous occasions expelled provincial officials for owning Nazi-related objects, which is illegal in Austria.

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