Austria gets new leader after Kurz resigns

Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg has been sworn in as Austria’s new chancellor after Sebastian Kurz resigned amid corruption allegations
    

Jun 20, 1969: Alexander Schallenberg (above) born in Bern, Switzerland, son of Austrian diplomat

1989-95: Studies law in Vienna and Paris, and European law in Bruges

1997: Joins Austria’s diplomatic service

2000-05: First posting abroad, as head of legal section for Austria’s EU delegation in Brussels
 
2005-13: Serves as press spokesman for foreign ministry, under ministers Ursula Plassnik and Michael Spindelegger
 
2009-19: Holds further diplomatic posts, including head of strategic foreign policy planning unit and head of EU affairs section
 
Jun 2019-Jan 2020: Named as foreign minister in caretaker government of Brigitte Bierlein
  
Jan 2020: Becomes foreign minister in Kurz’s government
  
Oct 9, 2021: Kurz (left) steps down as chancellor after being implicated in corruption scandal. 
Kurz, who denies any wrongdoing, recommends Schallenberg as his successor

Oct 11: Schallenberg sworn in as chancellor, aiming to preserve ruling OVP-Greens coalition. Kurz remains OVP leader while fighting corruption allegations

  
AUSTRIA’S PARLIAMENT

People’s Party (OVP) 71

Greens: 26
 
Freedom Party: 30

Social Democrats 40
                                                                                           NEOS* 15

Other: 1

Total seats 183


*New Austria and Liberal Forum


Sources: Associated Press, Bloomberg, BMEIA
Pictures: Getty Images 
© GRAPHIC NEWS