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Austria: Sebastian Kurz 'Chancellor candidate Alexander Schallenberg

2021-10-10T06:15:26.209Z


The Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg will probably become the new Federal Chancellor after Sebastian Kurz's withdrawal. What can be expected of him politically. A portrait.


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For the first time since 1945 there will be a head of government of noble descent in Austria (archive picture)

Photo: JURE MAKOVEC / AFP

A loyal follower of Sebastian Kurz will be his (presumably temporary) successor in the Chancellery: Alexander Schallenberg.

The experienced diplomat was initially foreign minister in the transitional government under Brigitte Bierlein and was also the only member who was accepted into the new Kurz government.

Schallenberg owes his career to a very large extent to Sebastian Kurz.

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He also thinks the same way as Kurz on many political issues and has always shown that he considers him an extraordinary politician, even in a relaxed, more private circle.

When it comes to migration policy, Schallenberg is completely on the line and, in connection with the question of whether children should be flown out of the Greek camp Moria, was carried away with the phrase "shouting about distribution".

His mantra on the refugee question is identical to that given by Kurz: Austria has already provided enough humanitarian aid, the allegations of an inhuman attitude are unjust and, above all, "2015" (the wave of refugees, note) should not be repeated.

In a

profile

interview, he described himself as a “man of conviction” on the migration issue.

On the short line

Schallenberg is also on the short-line when it comes to the relationship with the EU members, who are increasingly becoming authoritarian, such as Hungary or Poland: One should point out the overturning of the rule of law, etc., but at least not the bridges to a regime like that of Viktor Orbán break off: »We don't just shout in chorus.

I think it's better to talk to someone than just shouting things out to one another «.

He hoped that people in Budapest would “go deep into themselves and reflect” - which, as is well known, did not happen, on the contrary.

Schallenberg is also completely on the short-line in his stance on Israel; he readily agreed to the raising of the Israeli flag in the Chancellery.

Schallenberg was particularly committed to the question of the accession of the "Western Balkan states" such as Serbia, Bosnia and Montenegro, here a little more than his Chancellor.

Domestically, the diplomat (even his father was a diplomat, namely ambassador and general secretary of the Foreign Office) has so far made little appearance.

One can assume that he will listen very closely to the advice of Sebastian Kurz here.

As far as dealing with the green coalition partner is concerned, Schallenberg's diplomatic experience, his pleasant manners and a certain moderation in tone will undoubtedly be an advantage.

Some interlocutors discover a slightly cynical side in him.

An impeccable personality

In terms of paper, Schallenberg is undoubtedly the "impeccable personality" that Greens chief Werner Kogler demanded to replace Kurz.

But of course it is clear that he will not deviate an inch from the path of his party leader.

Alexander (Graf) Schallenberg is the first aristocrat in the office of Chancellor since 1945. The old noble family (since 1190) is at home in the Upper Austrian Mühlviertel.

Schallenberg was born in Bern in 1969 - his father was ambassador there - and joined the Foreign Office at the age of 20.

He grew up in India, Spain and France.

From 1989 to 1994 he studied law in Vienna and Paris, then European law at the prestigious College of Europe in the Belgian city of Bruges.

His first foreign post was also in the Austrian EU representation in Brussels, then he was press spokesman for Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik and her successor Michael Spindelegger.

Journalists got to know him as a cooperative, discreet interlocutor.

His real specialty is EU policy and strategic planning.

His connection with Kurz dates back to the time when this foreign minister was, where he expressed his enthusiasm for him: he had seldom experienced such political talent.

Kurz promoted him to head of strategic planning and now to chancellor.

Schallenberg was non-party for the longest time, but most recently joined the ÖVP.

He will work very closely with the current ÖVP club chairman Sebastian Kurz.

This article was taken

from the Austrian news portal

»Der Standard«.

Source: spiegel

All news articles on 2021-10-10

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