After Karl Nehammer’s announced resignation as Austrian Chancellor and ÖVP leader, the party’s current general secretary, Christian Stocker, is set to temporarily lead the party, according to several Austrian media outlets on Sunday.
Earlier, the ÖVP’s federal party executive in Vienna had a several-hour meeting to discuss the succession of Nehammer and the next steps. A long-term solution, according to the reports, is only expected to be announced in a few weeks.
Unclear is whether the failure of the coalition negotiations between ÖVP, SPÖ, and Neos will lead to new elections or talks between ÖVP and FPÖ. In the latter case, the FPÖ would likely take over the Chancellor’s office, as the strongest party. It is expected that President Alexander Van der Bellen will publicly comment on the further course of action on Sunday.