Schallenberg Entrusted with Government Leadership After Nehammer's Departure
He will fulfill this task until a new cabinet is formed. Van der Bellen justified the choice of Schallenberg, stating that he had been the longest-serving minister of the still incumbent government. Predecessor Karl Nehammer resigned his office on Friday after the failure of the black-red-pink coalition talks.
He did not appear in the media today. In a social media video, he once again emphasized that he looked back on the three years of his chancellorship with gratitude and great respect. Every day had been an honor to serve the country "and all of you". What would remain in the future is his "unshakeable love" for Austria.
Schallenberg Remains Foreign Minister
Formally, Van der Bellen entrusted Schallenberg "with the continuation of the administration of the Federal Chancellery and with the chairmanship of the provisional federal government". He remains Foreign Minister on the side. Van der Bellen thanked Schallenberg for his willingness to take on the double responsibility and to serve the Republic, before he swore in the new head of government.
This is Schallenberg's second term at the head of the government. Already in 2021, he had served for a good two months as Federal Chancellor - namely between the withdrawal of Sebastian Kurz and the installation of Nehammer, whose predecessor and successor he thus is in one.
Inaugural Visit to the EU
At the beginning of next week, Schallenberg plans an inaugural visit to the European Union in Brussels. He is unlikely to remain in the government permanently, as he does not aspire to hold a ministerial post under a Chancellor Herbert Kickl (FPÖ).
Helm and Türtscher Speak for Chancellor Schallenberg
The media agendas in the Chancellor's Office have been reorganised following the transition from Karl Nehammer to Alexander Schallenberg (both ÖVP). Claudia Türtscher and Dunja Helm speak for the new Chancellor. Türtscher also remains the deputy chief of staff in the Foreign Ministry and handles Schallenberg's media agendas there as well. Helm was previously Nehammer's spokesperson and had previously worked as a journalist for Servus TV among others.
Daniel Kosak, who primarily deals with strategic issues, also remains in the Chancellor's Office.
(APA/Red)
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