Austria’s New Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg Resigns After Just 2 Months

Austrian Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg announced connected Thursday, conscionable 2 months aft taking office, that helium volition measurement down arsenic chancellor arsenic soon arsenic his blimpish People’s Party agrees connected its adjacent leader.

“I’m of the steadfast sentiment that the 2 posts—head of authorities and person of the enactment with the astir votes successful Austria—need to beryllium rapidly agreed successful a azygous hand,” Schallenberg said successful a statement.

Earlier connected Thursday, Sebastian Kurz, Austria’s erstwhile chancellor, besides confirmed that helium volition step backmost from politics aft serving astir 10 years successful government.

Former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz gives a connection arsenic helium resigns from each governmental duties, successful Vienna, Austria, connected Dec. 2, 2021. (Lisi Niesner/Reuters)

Kurz said during a quality briefing that helium had enactment his occupation “above astir everything,” leaving small clip for his family. The 35-year-old erstwhile national leader, who was 1 of Europe’s youngest leaders, noted that his enthusiasm for authorities had go little implicit time, and the caller commencement of his archetypal kid had motivated him to instrumentality the last measurement to discontinue politics.

Schallenberg took bureau successful October pursuing Kurz’s resignation arsenic chancellor. Kurz resigned arsenic chancellor astatine the behest of his conjugation partner, the Greens, aft prosecutors announced that helium was 1 of the targets of an probe into suspected bribery and breach of trust.

During Thursday’s quality conference, Kurz acknowledged that helium had made mistakes during his 10-year career, portion besides referring to the allegations made against him.

“I americium neither a saint nor a criminal,” the person said. “Now that determination are ineligible accusations against me, I look guardant to the time erstwhile I tin beryllium successful tribunal that they are wrong,” helium added.

Austrian Interior Minister Karl Nehammer announced connected Friday that helium volition beryllium the acting person of the People’s Party and volition question to go Austria’s adjacent chancellor.

The caller designated Austrian Chancellor, interior Minister Karl Nehammer gives a connection astatine a property league aft a gathering of the Austrian People’s Party successful Vienna, Austria, connected Dec. 3, 2021. (Lisa Leutner/AP Photo)

Nehammer needs the backing of his party’s inferior conjugation partners, the Greens, and the support of Austria’s president, which is considered a formality.

His presumption arsenic imperishable person of the People’s Party would necessitate ceremonial confirmation.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

From NTD News