AKIPRESS.COM - Voting is under way in Austria in a snap election tipped to see conservative Sebastian Kurz, 31, become the European Union’s youngest leader and form an alliance with the far right.

A rightward shift in the wealthy EU member of 8.75 million people would be a fresh headache for Brussels, as it already struggles with Britain’s decision to leave and the rise of nationalists in Germany, Hungary, Poland and elsewhere, the Guardian reported.

About 6.4 million people are eligible to vote in Sunday’s closely-watched ballot. The first estimates are expected shortly after polls close at 5pm local time.

As foreign minister, Kurz claims credit for closing the so-called western Balkan migrant route in 2016, earning him praise at home.

Pushing far-right themes, he wants to cut benefits for all foreigners and shut Islamic kindergartens. Kurz and Strache also see eye-to-eye on lowering taxes, slashing red tape and keeping the EU more out of national affairs.

Vienna will hold the EU’s presidency in the second half of 2018, just when Brussels wants to conclude Brexit talks in March 2019.