Austria: Schallenberg officially invested chancellor after Kurz's resignation

In Austria, Alexander Schallenberg was officially invested chancellor on October 11, 2021. Fabrice COFFRINI AFP / File

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In Austria, two days after the resignation of the conservative Sebastian Kurz, targeted by an investigation for corruption, a new chancellor has just been appointed on October 11

The new head of government is called Alexander Schallenberg and he was until now Conservative Minister of Foreign Affairs.

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With our correspondent in Vienna,

At 52, this diplomat, perfectly French-speaking, the son of an ambassador, has just been appointed chancellor.

It is the

which propels Alexander Schallenberg on the front of the stage in 2019. Indeed, this scandal of corruption caused the fall of the coalition between conservatives and extreme right and the establishment of a government of experts , in which he became Minister of Foreign Affairs.

He will be the only survivor of this government and will keep his post when Sebastian Kurz becomes chancellor again, in January 2020, by allying, this time, with the Greens.

He is considered a staunch supporter of Sebastian Kurz, with him ahead of part of his career and sharing many of his positions, including his very strict vision of migration policy.

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Politics influenced by Kurz?

It is this proximity that worries the opposition today because Sebastian Kurz, if he is no longer chancellor, remains leader of the conservative party and the parliamentary group and could, thus, continue to influence Austrian policy.

Michael Linhart, until now Austrian Ambassador to France, was also invested this Monday as Minister of Foreign Affairs.

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• Austria

• Sebastian kurz

• Alexander Schallenberg