Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg took the oath of office as the country’s interim Chancellor.
This happened after Karl Nehammer, who stepped down from his position, resigned amid unsuccessful coalition formation negotiations. Schallenberg replaced Nehammer, who resigned after the liberal party NEOS withdrew from negotiations with the Austrian People’s Party and the left-wing Social Democratic Party. As a result, Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen tasked the leader of the right-wing Freedom Party, Herbert Kickl, with forming a government. Kickl, who became the party leader after winning the parliamentary elections, is now heading the negotiations.
Although the Freedom Party has been described as a threat to the country’s security, all other political forces refused to collaborate with the right-wing party. However, coalition talks are currently only taking place between the Freedom Party and the Austrian People’s Party, which has changed its position and agreed to negotiate with the right-wing.
Alexander Schallenberg had previously served as Chancellor at the end of 2021 when he temporarily took over after Sebastian Kurz’s resignation until Nehammer’s appointment. Schallenberg has been the Foreign Minister since 2019 but stated that he will not remain in the government if it is led by Herbert Kickl.
