She surprised many people: Sebastian Kurz announced this week that he would retire from all political offices.
The then Austrian Chancellor had already resigned as Chancellor in October because of corruption investigations against himself and his party.
However, he remained chairman of the ÖVP, changed to parliamentary group leader - and many wondered when he would return as chancellor.
But now Kurz has turned his back on the political stage, allegedly for good.
In six episodes of our podcast »Inside Austria« we have reconstructed the meteoric rise of Sebastian Kurz and his even faster fall. This episode is now about the resignation of the conservative bearer of hope. Was the birth of his son really the reason for his decision at this point in time, as Kurz claimed in his press release on Thursday? Or is the withdrawal related to the ongoing corruption investigation against him? And what does the end of Kurz as a politician mean for the power structure in the People's Party ÖVP? Because with Kurz, some of his closest confidants have thrown in the towel this week.
In the weekly podcast “Inside Austria”, SPIEGEL and STANDARD look together at the large and small scandals in Austria.
In the first episodes we examined the network that made Sebastian Kurz great.
But with his political retreat, the Kurz cause is far from over.
Finally, the corruption investigation against him and his party continues.
And whether the Kurz system is actually at its end or will be continued in the future with other people at the top remains to be seen.
In our podcast we continue to follow the investigations surrounding the Austrian government.
In the future, we will reconstruct more cases, scandals and events that move the country.
And inform about an important Austrian topic of the week.
You can also find an overview of all current developments and new revelations in the Kurz affair in our new weekly newsletter “Inside Austria”.
