Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg will temporarily take on the role of Chancellor while negotiations continue between conservatives and far-right parties to form a new government, as announced by the country’s presidency on Wednesday.
His appointment was “confirmed” this morning, according to a spokesperson, following the unexpected resignation of outgoing conservative Chancellor Karl Nehammer. Schallenberg’s official inauguration is set for Friday.
Legislative elections were held in Austria on September 29, and since then, the coalition of right-wing parties and the Greens has been managing only day-to-day affairs while awaiting the establishment of a new government.
This transitional period has been prolonged due to last week’s unsuccessful discussions among conservatives led by Nehammer, social democrats, and liberals, which ultimately resulted in Nehammer’s resignation.
On Monday, President Alexander Van der Bellen tasked Herbert Kickl, leader of the nationalist FPO party, with forming a majority alliance with the conservatives (OVP).
Kickl has already extended an official invitation to the new head of the OVP, Christian Stocker, to commence talks. During his tenure as interim Chancellor, the 55-year-old Schallenberg will continue to fulfill his responsibilities as Foreign Minister.
