Ceremony in Vienna: Schallenberg sworn in as the new Chancellor

After Chancellor Kurz, who was suspected of corruption, withdrew, the former Foreign Minister Schallenberg took over government affairs in Austria. Federal President Van der Bellen addressed the newcomer clearly.

Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP) is the new head of government in Austria. The previous Foreign Minister succeeds Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP), who resigned from office two days ago following allegations of corruption. In a televised ceremony, the so-called swearing-in ceremony, Schallenberg took his oath of office in front of Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen in the Vienna Hofburg.

“Restore trust”

Van der Bellen gave the new Chancellor some warning words. “We all expect that the government will now go back to work together and bring something forward together,” he said. “Words alone will not be enough to restore confidence. It will take hard, focused work with real results.” With his diplomatic skills, Schallenberg has the best prerequisites for this.

The 52-year-old Schallenberg and his predecessor Kurz worked together for years. When, shortly before his time as Chancellor, he was foreign minister, the cosmopolitan and eloquent Schallenberg advised him as chief strategist. In 2019 Schallenberg became Foreign Minister in a transitional cabinet and moved to Kurz’s new cabinet in the same function.

Kurz becomes parliamentary group leader

The corruption investigation against Kurz had caused a government crisis. The co-ruling Greens had demanded his replacement and otherwise threatened to collapse the coalition. Kurz and his entourage are investigated on suspicion of corruption and infidelity. The rise of the top politician is said to have been arranged with the help of tax money and embellished surveys.

Kurz denies the allegations. Despite his withdrawal, he remains ÖVP boss and moves to parliament as leader of the parliamentary group. Observers assume that he will continue to exert influence as “shadow chancellor” and that his political career should not be over with the withdrawal.

Career diplomat Michael Linhart succeeds Schallenberg as the new Foreign Minister. He was previously Ambassador to Paris and previously Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.