Schallenberg Urges Unity in First Speech as Interim Leader

Schallenberg Urges Unity in First Speech as Interim Leader

Image: APA/Herbert Neubauer

 

Austria’s interim Chancellor and Foreign Minister, Alexander Schallenberg, urged the nation to uphold its core values in a heartfelt address to parliament on Wednesday.

As the cabinet’s longest-serving member, Schallenberg paid tribute to his predecessor, Karl Nehammer, who stepped down earlier this month as Chancellor and leader of the People’s Party (ÖVP) following the collapse of coalition talks with the Social Democrats (SPÖ) and the liberal NEOS party.

Following Nehammer’s departure, President Alexander Van der Bellen appointed Schallenberg as interim Chancellor. Meanwhile, the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ), excluded from earlier coalition negotiations despite winning the September elections, has been tasked with forming a new government.

A senior figure in the ÖVP, Schallenberg previously held the interim Chancellor role between October and December 2021 after Sebastian Kurz resigned as party leader.

Praising Nehammer, Schallenberg said: “Nehammer has always stayed true to his values, shown backbone and demonstrated integrity.” However, he avoided addressing Nehammer’s refusal to collaborate with the FPÖ during his time as ÖVP leader.

“No doubt about where Austria stands”

In his speech, Schallenberg underscored Austria’s domestic and international challenges, calling for swift and stable governance. He stressed the importance of safeguarding Austria’s democratic values and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to the European Union.

“There must be no doubt about where this country stands,” he declared, listing the rule of law, separation of powers, human and minority rights, a free press and Austria’s EU membership as “non-negotiable cornerstones.”

He also sounded a warning about growing threats to democracy, both from within Austria and abroad. “Authoritarian systems are challenging us,” he cautioned. “We must resist this. The strength of the law, not the law of the strong, must be our guiding principle.”

Rejecting isolationist approaches, Schallenberg emphasised that Austria and Europe cannot shield themselves from global crises. “Austria and Europe are not islands of bliss. We are not immune to crises and conflicts. The challenges we face can only be tackled together – within Austria, across Europe, and internationally.” He called for cooperation, describing it as “essential for survival.”

SPÖ challenges ÖVP’s principles

The SPÖ used the opportunity to criticise the ÖVP, with SPÖ parliamentary leader Philip Kucher saying: “I believe Schallenberg and Nehammer mean every word they say, but I do not trust the ÖVP.”

Kucher accused the party of abandoning its principles by engaging in coalition talks with the FPÖ. “You ruled out [FPÖ leader] Herbert Kickl before the election, and you are doing so again now because you believe it’s the right thing. But the People’s Party betrayed its ideals by negotiating with Kickl’s FPÖ and even sacrificing its own Chancellor, Karl Nehammer,” he added.

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