Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPO), which won September's parliamentary election with 29% of the vote, is due to start coalition talks with the conservative People's Party (OVP) this week aimed at creating the country's first FPO-led government.

The new, interim leader of Austria's conservatives demanded assurances from the far right on Wednesday that they want to keep Austria free from Russian interference, laying out potential flashpoints as they head into coalition talks.

Austria's far right, tasked for the first time with trying to form a government, warned on Tuesday of a "difficult" mission as relations with the conservatives are tense.

By Francois Murphy VIENNA (Reuters) -Austrian far-right Freedom Party (FPO) leader Herbert Kickl called on the conservative People's Party (OVP) to be "honest" in their imminent coalition talks or face the prospect of a snap election,