VIENNA (AP) — The Austrian Foreign Minister, Alexander Schallenberg, is set to assume the role of interim leader following the resignation of Chancellor Karl Nehammer, as reported by the president’s office on Wednesday. This development comes as the far-right Freedom Party works towards forming a new coalition government in the country.
Schallenberg, 55, will step into the position vacated by Nehammer, who announced his resignation over the weekend after his attempts to forge a coalition excluding the Freedom Party fell through. Nehammer is scheduled to formally step down on Friday.
A statement from President Alexander Van der Bellen’s office outlined that Schallenberg will be entrusted with the responsibility of “continuing the management of the chancellery and leading the interim government.” This marks Schallenberg’s second term as Austria’s leader, albeit likely to be brief. He previously served as chancellor for less than two months in late 2021 following the departure of Sebastian Kurz, before relinquishing the role to Nehammer and resuming his duties at the Foreign Ministry.
The Freedom Party, known for its anti-immigration stance, euroskeptic views, and friendly ties with Russia, emerged victorious in Austria’s parliamentary election in September. Initially met with reluctance from other political factions, the party has now become a focal point in the coalition-building efforts.
After Nehammer’s resignation, the conservative Austrian People’s Party, previously hesitant to engage with the Freedom Party under its leader, Herbert Kickl, reversed its stance. Kickl has been granted the mandate to explore the formation of a government, potentially marking the first time the far right would lead the nation since World War II. The process ahead is uncertain, with the timeframe for establishing a new government ranging from weeks to months.
Schallenberg, a seasoned diplomat, assumed the role of foreign minister in 2019 and briefly served as chancellor before. He has made it clear that he does not intend to remain in the government should Kickl take the helm.
The political landscape in Austria is undergoing significant shifts as the country navigates the complexities of coalition-building amidst changing leadership dynamics. With Schallenberg at the helm as interim leader, the future trajectory of Austria’s government remains uncertain, pending the outcome of coalition negotiations led by the Freedom Party.
