Austrian Foreign Minister appointed interim chancellor
Photo: Alexander Schallenberg, Interim Chancellor of Austria (Getty Images)
Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg has been sworn in as acting Chancellor of Austria, ORF reports.
“One of the tasks of the federal president is to ensure that the government is in power at all times, capable of governing the country and representing it in the European Union,” Austrian President Van der Bellen said after swearing in Schallenberg.
The president added that the last few days have been turbulent for Austria.
According to the news agency, Schallenberg is acting as chancellor for the second time and has been sworn in eight times in total. He will continue to hold the post of Foreign Minister until a new government is formed.
Today, on January 10, the Austrian interim chancellor plans to hold telephone talks with his German counterpart Olaf Scholz, and a dialogue with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is scheduled for the weekend.
“Early next week, he plans to make his inaugural visit to the EU in Brussels. Due to the transition to the office, he had to postpone his planned trips to Syria and Türkiye as foreign minister,” ORF adds.
Nehammer resigns
On January 5, Karl Nehammer announced his resignation as Austrian Chancellor due to the failure of coalition talks. Later, the Austrian president instructed the right-wing radical Herbert Kickl to form a new government.
