Sebastian Kurz resigns as Chancellor of Austria.
He announced this in a statement.
He also proposed a successor.
News ticker.
Sebastian Kurz * resigns as Chancellor.
In a statement on Saturday evening, he commented on this step
(see updates from October 9th from 7.41 p.m.).
The Greens, the coalition partner, also commented
(see update from October 9, 9:07 p.m.).
The opposition sees an escape "into parliamentary immunity"
(see update from October 9th, 10:15 pm).
This news ticker is continuously updated.
Update from October 9th, 10.15 p.m.:
Sebastian Kurz's move from the Austrian Chancellery to Parliament is a move from the opposition's point of view, but not a system change.
"Sebastian Kurz fled to parliamentary immunity," said the head of the right-wing FPÖ, Herbert Kickl.
He was referring to corruption investigations against the conservative Kurz (ÖVP), which led to his resignation on Saturday evening
(see update from October 9th, 7.48pm)
.
The opposition parties saw the fact that Kurz remains party leader and becomes parliamentary group leader not only as a legal but also as a political maneuver.
They agreed that this attitude would now be maintained and that the "System Kurz" would continue to exist.
"For an hour, Kurz has not been Federal Chancellor, but is the shadow chancellor of the republic," said the social democratic party leader Pamela Rendi-Wagner.
Head of the liberal Neos Beate Meinl-Reisinger said that Kurz would continue to keep all the strings in hand.
Kurz resigns as Chancellor: Co-ruling Greens welcome the move
Update from October 9, 9:07 p.m.:
Austria's co-ruling Greens have
welcomed
the resignation of Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP)
(see update from October 9, 7.48 p.m.)
And signaled the continuation of the coalition. "In view of the current situation, I think this is the right step for future government work with responsibility for Austria and Austria's reputation abroad," said Greens boss and Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler on Saturday evening.
The Greens had demanded his resignation and the appointment of an “impeccable” new ÖVP Chancellor because of corruption investigations against Kurz, otherwise the coalition would have collapsed. Kurz announced that the previous Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg would take over his post. "The cooperation with Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg has been very constructive so far," said Kogler. He will hold talks with him on Sunday.
Update from October 9, 7.48 p.m.:
Sebastian Kurz resigns as Chancellor of Austria.
He has just explained this in a short statement.
This step is not easy for him, but he wants to prevent chaos in the country and resolve a "stalemate".
And he wants to rebut the allegations against himself.
Briefly wants to remain party leader, club chairman (parliamentary group chairman) of the ÖVP and continue to make his contribution in parliament.
Quake in Austria: Kurz steps back
Update from October 9th, 7.45pm:
You are now in an "escalation between the two coalition parties", in a "stalemate", explains Chancellor Kurz in Austria.
"Stability and responsibility" are now needed, says Kurz, in order to cope with this phase of the corona pandemic, for example.
He thanks for the loyalty of the team.
"In this difficult time, however, it shouldn't be about personal interests, party interests or political tactics."
Kurz would like to make room to “prevent chaos”.
He asked the government team of the People's Party to continue the work.
Alexander Schallenberg, currently Foreign Minister, briefly proposed his successor.
He has the necessary diplomatic skills.
Statement by Sebastian Kurz: allegations are "wrong"
Update from October 9, 7.41 p.m.:
Briefly appears in front of the press.
He goes into his last years, which were "very demanding".
He rejects the current allegations that they are "false".
"And I will be able to explain that too, I am convinced of that." He would be grateful if the presumption of innocence would apply to everyone in the country, says Kurz.
Update from October 9, 7:36 p.m.:
Chancellor Kurz's statement is delayed by a few minutes.
But the portal
oe24.at also
reports that Kurz will announce his withdrawal
(see update from October 9th, 7:27 pm).
Update from October 9, 7:27 p.m.:
Sebastian Kurz is about to step in front of the press.
As the
picture
claims to have found out, he will probably announce his resignation.
His successor should therefore be the current Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg.
ÖVP boss apparently wants to stay short.
Is it getting serious in Austria?
Chancellor under pressure - Kurz is about to make a live statement
+
Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP), Federal Chancellor of Austria, leaves after making a statement in the Federal Chancellery about the government crisis.
(Archive image)
© Georg Hochmuth / APA / dpa
First report from October 9th:
Vienna - At 7.30 p.m. the Chancellor of Austria, Sebastian Kurz, made a statement in front of the press. He wants to make a statement on the future of the government. According to information from the APA, on which the portal
oe24.at
reports, Kurz could draw the conclusions from the investigation against him - and possibly take a "step aside".
In the last few days the pressure on Kurz and the government in Austria * increased.
It was triggered by corruption investigations against the Chancellor and his closest circle.
The team is said to have secured Kurz's rise to the top of the ÖVP and government since 2016 through embellished surveys and positive media reports.
In return, the newspaper "Austria" is said to have received lucrative orders for advertisements from the Ministry of Finance.
Tax funds are also said to have flowed for this.
Briefly gives press conference: Greens no longer consider coalition partners to be able to function
As a coalition partner, the Greens now consider the head of government to be no longer fit for office.
On Tuesday, Kurz, who denies the allegations, has to face a motion of no confidence in a special session of the National Council.
It is now almost certain that he will be voted out.
With the statement, he could possibly anticipate that.
In view of the severe government crisis in Austria, the parties discussed how to proceed behind closed doors on Saturday.
Kurz (ÖVP) had refused to resign the evening before, despite the corruption investigation against him.
Kurz dismissed the allegations on Friday evening as "simply wrong".
His party will "of course accept it if there are other majorities in parliament".
But he is still able to act and willing to lead the government.
Government crisis in Austria: soon a new Federal Chancellor?
Vice-chancellor and Green leader Kogler, on the other hand, called on Kurz's party to nominate another Federal Chancellor.
It is not only about the criminal allegations, but also about a "horrible moral picture" in the center of power of the ÖVP, APA quoted him.
The ÖVP must now propose someone “who is impeccable”.
Previously, Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen had already questioned the government's ability to act.
He too spoke of a “moral image that is not good for democracy”.
SPÖ leader Pamela Rendi-Wagner also recently no longer ruled out an alliance of four with the Greens, Neos and the FPÖ.
On ORF, she described such an alliance as “unlikely, but possible.” “Extraordinary situations” required “extraordinary actions.” In the afternoon, according to APA, Rendi-Wagner met FPÖ boss Herbert Kickl for an interview without disclosing details
(AFP / dpa / cibo).
* Merkur.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA.
