NAfter Austria’s ex-Chancellor and ÖVP boss Sebastian Kurz, Finance Minister Gernot Blümel, who is considered a Kurz confidante, has announced his retirement from politics. The conservative ÖVP minister announced this on Thursday evening. “I have decided to leave politics,” said the 40-year-old and justified his move with death threats against his family, among other things. He also made it clear that Kurz’s withdrawal had to do with the move.
It is the third major political step in Austria within a day. Previously, Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg announced on Thursday evening that he would resign as soon as the party had set the appropriate course. Kurz, who was suspected of corruption, resigned as head of government in October and announced his retirement as head of the conservative ÖVP on Thursday morning.
The Conservative Party Executive will meet on Friday to discuss a new leader who can lead both the party and the government. Schallenberg made it clear that he did not want to become ÖVP boss. Interior Minister Karl Nehammer is being discussed as his successor.
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