Wolfgang Schüssel

The European Union adapts to political reality as this is shaped by member-states. This can be seen in the handling of the "Austrian issue" which emerged after the country's radical populist right-wing Freedom Party (FPO) became part of the country's governing coalition.

31-year-old Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz, a rising star of the conservative People's Party, is about to become Austria's next chancellor, according to the first forecast after today's parliamentary elections.

Kurtz will be the youngest leader in Europe, the youngest chancellor in the new history of Austria, and only the third Christian Democrat in this post.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday in Tirana that the EU has no timetable for Albania to start membership talks, which she said depends on the pace of reforms.