Austria Nehammer retires from top politics
The resigned Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) wants to retire from top politics after the failed attempt to form a government. He will give up his parliamentary mandate, as a spokeswoman for the Chancellery confirmed to the APA news agency.
11.01.2025, 13:29
SDA
Nehammer stood as the lead candidate for the conservative ÖVP, which was in government with the Greens at the time, in the September elections and defended his seat in the National Council. The spokesperson has now confirmed media reports that Nehammer will not be a member of the National Council for much longer. He is expected to announce his withdrawal by the next session of the chamber on January 22, the APA report continued.
With 26.3 percent of the vote, the ÖVP was the second strongest party behind the right-wing FPÖ with 28.8 percent. Nehammer wanted to forge a coalition with other parties of the political center, but failed. In the meantime, FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl is discussing cooperation with the ÖVP, which Nehammer had rejected. He resigned as ÖVP leader and as chancellor. Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg is now in charge of government affairs.
