Herbert Kickl, the leader of Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPO), has been tasked with forming a coalition government after the collapse of a centrist bid. Despite having low personal approval ratings, Kickl's strategic cunning helped his party win the national election, making it the largest party with 29% of the vote. Kickl is known for his abrasive and provocative style, often making controversial remarks about immigrants and gender politics. However, he can also moderate his tone to appeal to more moderate voters. Some analysts believe that Kickl's positioning on key issues and refusal to step aside suggest a rare strategic intelligence.