Monday, 11 October 2021, Vienna, Republic of Austria: Federal President Alexander van der Bellen swore in a novel chancellor in Austria, Alexander Schallenberg, who hitherto had been serving as the country’s chief of diplomacy. Career diplomat Michael Linhart became the country’s new foreign minister.
Alexander Schallenberg (born 20 June 1969 in Bern, Swiss Confederation) takes over two days after his predecessor Sebastian Kurz resigned amidst corruption allegations, nonetheless the direction of governmental policy is not expected to change.
Albeit Sebastian Kurz stepped down from his capacity as chancellor, he is keeping his role as party leader of the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP), and becomes the head of the party’s parliamentary group, keeping him at the heart of Austrian politics whilst he struggles against the corruption allegations.
Schallenberg served in the capacity as Austria’s foreign minister since 2019, while Linhart was Austria’s ambassador to France hitherto. All other ministers from the previous cabinet remained in office.
Chancellor Schallenberg speaks fluent German, English, Spanish, and French as well as smatterings of Russian. He is known for supporting the bulk of Sebastian Kurz’s policies, including a stand against uncontrolled immigration, as well as a thougher protection of EU external borders.
For further information
Federal Presidency of Austria:
The Federal Chancellorship of Austria:
