Less than 24 hours after the announcement of the resignation of Sebastian Kurz after the corruption scandal that has engulfed him, Austria has a new chancellor.
President Alexander van der Bellen tonight appointed outgoing Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg as head of the Vienna government, indicated as his successor by Kurz.
An appointment immediately approved by Deputy Chancellor Werner Kogler, leader of the Greens, who together with the conservatives of the People's Party (Oevp) will continue to compose the governing coalition.
"This government crisis is over", declared the Austrian head of state, thanking the outgoing chancellor for a step back that "avoided damage to the Republic".
Speaking to the nation, van der Bellen apologized for the "image that politics has given" these days, complaining that trust in institutions has been "once again deeply shaken". But now, he added, "the work for our country can go on".
The Schallenberg oath is set for tomorrow.
The 52-year-old career diplomat - divorced and father of four children - will now have the delicate task of reconstructing the image of the executive, heavily damaged by the scandal that broke out four days ago, despite Kurz's self-defense, which he called "false" accusations against him.
(Unioneonline / F)