Vienna-Meidling, the political academy of the Austrian People's Party, when it is drizzling: The setting is in every way suitable for Sebastian Kurz to announce his complete withdrawal from politics. Not only because of the weather, but also for telling a circle that is being rounded or a section that is coming to an end. A decade ago, then ÖVP chairman Michael Spindelegger presented his government team here, with Kurz, who was 24 years old at the time, as a big surprise. Here Kurz himself de facto took over the party leadership in 2017, when he announced his own readiness after the resignation of the ÖVP boss (his name was now Reinhold Mitterlehner). It was May, appropriately bright sunshine.

So now the resignation.

Briefly explained his reasons.

Spoke of positions and convictions that would have guided him in his actions, of the joy and hardship of politics, thanked fellow campaigners and companions, sponsors and previous advisors.

He was clearly trying not to leave the impression of a farewell in bitterness - unlike, for example, Mitterlehner, whom he himself had overthrown at the time.

As the reason for the complete withdrawal, he stated that the necessary one hundred percent enthusiasm was no longer there in view of the "developments of the last few months".

"Going to work has to pay off"

And on the other hand, the new happiness in the family, since his partner gave birth to their first child together last weekend. Kurz was clearly trying to counter the accusation of his political opponents that he was only interested in power anyway, not in any principles. He had acted on the convictions, he said, that “going to work has to pay off”, that “migration must not take place in an uncontrolled manner, but needs borders”, and that the business location must be strengthened. At the age of 35 he can look back gratefully on "ten years of service to the republic", encounters from the Dalai Lama to the presidents of the world powers, alliances at European level.

Dealing with history and an even better understanding of Israel were also important to him. Without answering any questions, he left the room after about a quarter of an hour. In response to a call, he said, rather jokingly, what he was going to do now: He was going to bring his son and girlfriend home from the hospital. Incidentally, Meidling is also the district of Vienna that Kurz comes from and in which he lives. He had only generally spoken of the fact that in the coming year he would “dedicate himself to new professional tasks”, but that he would be looking forward to having children and family until then.

The ÖVP speaks of offers from the “international private sector”.

No outsider will be able to brush aside such private reasons.

Especially since there are statements in the archive according to which he will no longer see himself in politics in ten years;

that this is a "phase of life", but that he also has plans in the private sector or a non-governmental organization.