After nearly five months of deadlock, three of the largest Austrian centrist parties in parliament hinted that they are on the verge of an agreement to form a coalition government, Euronews reported.

If finalised, the move would unite the conservative Austrian People's Party (OVP), the Social Democrats (SPO) and the liberal Neos party. The far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ), which won the national elections in September with nearly 29% of the vote, will remain on the sidelines.

OVP leader Christian Stocker is confident that the coalition agreement will be finalised. | BGNES