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Alexander Schallenberg
Photo: CHRISTIAN BRUNA / EPA
Alexander Schallenberg is the new Federal Chancellor of Austria.
The previous foreign minister was sworn in as head of government by Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen on Monday in Vienna.
After the resignation of Sebastian Kurz, he is now to lead government affairs.
The coalition of the Greens and ÖVP will remain in place for the time being.
The legislative period lasts until 2024.
"We all expect that the government will now go back to work together and bring something further together," said Van der Bellen.
With his diplomatic skills, Schallenberg has the best prerequisites for this.
Schallenberg, 52 years old, is a descendant of an ancient noble family from the Upper Austrian Mühlviertel.
The son of a diplomat, he grew up in India, Spain and France.
The new and old heads of government have worked together for years.
When, shortly before his time as Chancellor, he was still foreign minister, Schallenberg, a worldly and eloquent, advised him as chief strategist.
In 2019 Schallenberg became Foreign Minister in a transitional cabinet and moved to Kurz's new cabinet in the same function.
Schallenberg takes just as restrictive a stance on migration as Kurz does.
With taunts against Chancellor Angel Merkel, as they were heard again and again from Kurz, he did not attract attention so far.
Career diplomat Michael Linhart succeeds Schallenberg as the new Foreign Minister.
He was previously Ambassador to Paris and previously Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Serious allegations of corruption against Kurz
Sebastian Kurz had announced his resignation on Saturday evening because of massive corruption allegations.
But he wants to remain party leader and act as the chairman of the Austrian Conservatives' parliamentary group.
Last Wednesday, corruption investigations by the public prosecutor against Kurz and his closest team became known.
The investigation is on suspicion of corruption and infidelity.
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According to the prosecution, the team paved the way from Kurz to the top of the party and government in 2016 with embellished surveys and bought positive media coverage.
Tax money is said to have been diverted for this.
The investigations sparked a government crisis: the opposition demanded the resignation of Kurz, his coalition partner, the Austrian Greens, as soon as possible.
Kurz resigned on Saturday.
"My country is more important to me than my person," stated Kurz.
That is why he wanted to "make room to prevent chaos and ensure stability."
slü / dpa
