Alexander Schallenberg is Austria’s new head of government. After a political crisis that lasted for days, the previous Foreign Minister was sworn in as Chancellor by Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen as successor to Sebastian Kurz on Monday in Vienna. Because of corruption investigations against the conservative Kurz, the co-ruling Greens had demanded his replacement and otherwise the coalition would collapse. The legislative period lasts until 2024.
“We all expect that the government will now go back to work together and bring something further together,” said Van der Bellen. With his diplomatic skills, Schallenberg has the best prerequisites for this.
Von der Leyen and Michel congratulate Austria’s new Chancellor
The top of the EU institutions congratulated the new head of government of Austria Alexander Schallenberg on his new office. “I look forward to further successful cooperation for Austria and the European Union and wish you all the best for the tasks ahead,” wrote EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen on Monday on Twitter.
EU Council President Charles Michel wished Schallenberg “Good luck!”. He is looking forward to the cooperation and thanks the outgoing Chancellor Sebastian Kurz for the cooperation in the European Council.
The career of the new Federal Chancellor Schallenberg
The new and old heads of government of Austria have worked together for years. When, shortly before his time as Chancellor, he was still foreign minister, Schallenberg, a worldly and eloquent, advised him as chief strategist. In 2019 Schallenberg became Foreign Minister in a transitional cabinet and moved to Kurz’s new cabinet in the same function. Schallenberg comes from a former noble family. The son of a diplomat, he grew up in India, Spain and France.
The 52-year-old new chancellor takes just as restrictive a stance on migration as his 35-year-old predecessor. Sometimes he also supported Kurz’s criticism of the EU. Taunts against Chancellor Angel Merkel, as they were heard again and again from Kurz, have so far not been part of his repertoire.
Kurz and his entourage are investigated on suspicion of corruption and infidelity. The rise of the young top politician is said to have been arranged with the help of taxpayers’ money and embellished surveys. Kurz denies the allegations.
Despite his resignation, Kurz remains ÖVP boss and moves to parliament as leader of the parliamentary group. The opposition fears that the 35-year-old will continue to exercise power as a kind of shadow chancellor.
Career diplomat Michael Linhart succeeds Schallenberg as the new Foreign Minister. He was previously Ambassador to Paris and previously Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (dpa)
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