Austrian Chancellor Resigns After Corruption Inquiry

By Zafir Kamdar

Sebastian Kurz Austria’s current Chancellor has stepped down from his position after the exposure of his corruption scandal. He was pressured to step down and he has now proposed Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg to be his replacement.

Ten government officials including Kurz were under investigation after raids at locations that were linked to his conservative OVP People’s Party. Kurz however denies the claim that he used government money to ensure positive coverage in a local Austrian newspaper.

The allegations caused his coalition government to the brink of destruction this week, as the Greens, the coalition’s junior partner, declared Mr. Kurz was no longer suitable to be chancellor.

The Greens initiated discussions with opposition parties who had threatened to call a vote of no confidence in the chancellor next week.