Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg has temporarily taken charge of the country’s government for the second time.
Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen officially entrusted Schallenberg with “continuing the management of the Federal Chancellery and chairing the interim federal government” on Friday morning following the resignation of former Chancellor Karl Nehammer.
“The past few days have been turbulent,” Van der Bellen said, referencing recent domestic political events, particularly the failed negotiations to form a three-party coalition. Since the interim government lacks a vice-chancellor, the president assigned leadership to the cabinet member with the longest tenure.
Schallenberg has represented the republic as Foreign Minister for five and a half years and briefly served as Chancellor. “I am deeply grateful to you for once again taking on this dual responsibility and once again putting yourself at the service of the republic,” Van der Bellen remarked.
“I did not aim to take on this role, but I will approach it with great respect for the office,” Schallenberg said. He will also continue to serve as Foreign Minister. However, Schallenberg is unlikely to remain in the government for long, as he has ruled out holding a ministerial position under right-wing Chancellor Herbert Kickl.
