Austrian People’s Party nominates Christian Stocker as interim leader after Nehammer resigns
The Hindu
Austrian People's Party nominates Christian Stocker as interim leader after Chancellor Nehammer's resignation, sparking political turmoil.
Austrian People’s Party on Sunday (January 5, 2025) nominated its General Secretary Christian Stocker as interim leader after the expected resignation of Chancellor Karl Nehammer, Austrian news agency APA reported.
Mr. Nehammer announced Saturday (January 4, 2025) he would resign in the next few days after coalition talks with the Social Democrats collapsed.
Mr. Stocker, a lawyer and member of the Austrian Parliament, has served as General Secretary of the People’s Party since 2022. He is seen as an experienced and calm crisis communicator who has frequently appeared in Austrian media to defend controversial decisions.
It is not clear yet who will become acting chancellor until a new government is formed.
Protected by special police forces, Mr. Nehammer walked across the square from the Chancellery toward the president’s office in Vienna.
“What is important for me is that the way of stability and the center can be continued,” he said.
Austria’s President Alexander Van der Bellen will make a public statement to announce the next steps once the meeting with Mr. Nehammer is over.
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