In Austria, Alexander Schallenberg, the ÖVP’s foreign minister, is set to take over the Chancellor’s office on an interim basis until a new government is formed. This was reported by several Austrian media outlets in unison on Wednesday.
Officially, the personnel change is expected to be confirmed later in the day. Schallenberg is reportedly set to take over the office on Friday from the current holder, Karl Nehammer, who announced his resignation after the failed coalition talks with the SPÖ and Neos. It is still unclear for how long Schallenberg will hold the Chancellor’s office, as it largely depends on the outcome of the negotiations between the FPÖ and the ÖVP on forming a government. If the talks are successful, FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl is likely to become the head of government.
Schallenberg highlighted his previous experience as Chancellor, having taken the office on October 11, 2021, after Sebastian Kurz’s resignation, and handing it over to Nehammer on December 6, 2021. Prior to and after that, he was the foreign minister.