Austrian Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg, who took office just two months ago on October 11 after Sebastian Kurz resigned, announced his resignation on Thursday.
Schallenberg said he believes the chancellor position should be filled by a man who is also the head of the most powerful ruling party, the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP).
I firmly believe that both positions – the head of government and the chair of the ÖVP – should be held by the same person.
– He said, adding that he will resign after the election of the next president of the Voters Union Party on Friday. About the party leadership on Thursday Sebastian Kurz resigns, who, after leaving the position of chancellor, is now completely retiring from politics.
According to press reports, it seems clear that current Interior Minister Karl Nehammer will follow Schallenberg in the chancellery, as he has the best chance of being elected head of the Austrian Union Party.
It is not yet known if Schallenberg, who was foreign minister before he was appointed chancellor, will return to his previous portfolio after his resignation.
(Cover image by Alexander Schallenberg. Photo: Thomas Kronsteiner/Getty Images)
