BERLIN: The new Austrian government led by a conservative and a nationalist party is pledging to tighten the country’s asylum and immigration regulations while maintaining a firm commitment to the European Union, according to their coalition agreement released on Saturday.

Under the deal, Sebastian Kurz, head of the Austrian People’s Party, will become chancellor, which will make him Europe’s youngest leader when he is sworn in on Monday at age 31. Right-wing Freedom Party leader Heinz-Christian Strache will be vice chancellor and minister for sports and public servants. “This can be the basis for real change in Austria,” Kurz told reporters, introducing the government programme that runs more than 180 pages.

The document begins with a statement reinforcing Austria’s commitment to the EU and other international organisations, saying that no Brexit-like referendums would be allowed.

“Only in a strong Europe can there also be a strong Austria, in which we are able to take advantage of the opportunities of the 21st century,” the document reads.

At the same time, the People’s Party-Freedom Party partnership is expected to move the country to the right. Both campaigned on the need for tougher immigration controls, quick deportations of asylum-seekers whose requests are denied and a crackdown on radical Islam.

The coalition agreement calls for bolstering the country’s police forces with another 2,100 officers, as well as immigration policies that “can be sustained by the population.” It also says asylum should only be offered to people “for the duration of their persecution, who really need Austria’s help”. Other points include ending illegal migration, cutting government bureaucracy, reducing taxes and creating a new national climate and energy strategy.

Kurz’s party finished first in the country’s Oct 15 election and then embarked on coalition talks with the Freedom Party, which came in third after the centre-left Social Democrats.

In the new government, the Freedom Party will have another five ministers in addition to Strache and a deputy minister, including leadership of the important Interior, Defence and Foreign Ministries, the Austria Press Agency reported.

Along with Kurz as chancellor, the People’s Party will have seven ministers and one deputy, with responsibilities including the Finance, Economy and Justice Ministries.

Kurz is the foreign minister in the outgoing government under Chancellor Christian Kern, a Social Democrat. He has stressed the importance of a pro-European direction and is expected to continue to take the lead on European issues even though the Freedom Party, which has traditionally been strongly eurosceptic, will have the Foreign Ministry.

Published in Dawn, December 17th, 2017