Sebastian Kurz has stepped down over charges of using Government funds for manipulating opinion polls
Sebastian Kurz has stepped down as the Chancellor of Austria on Saturday, i.e., October 9, 2021, succumbing to pressure to resign after he was implicated in a corruption scandal.
He is accused of using Government money to generate positive media coverage in tabloid newspaper. Kurz along with 9 other was placed under investigation after raids were carried out at a number of locations linked to his conservative ÖVP People’s Party.
The corruption allegations relate to the period between 2016 and 2018, when the funds allotted to the Ministry of Finance were used to manipulate opinion polls in favour of the ÖVP that were then published in a newspaper.
This brought his coalition Government to fall after its junior partner – Austrian Green Party (commonly known as Greens) said that Kurz is no longer fit to be the Chancellor of Austria. However, Kurz has denied all the allegations. He has also proposed the name of Foreign Minister of Austria – Alexander Schallenberg as his replacement.
Addressing a Press Conference, Kurz said, “What’s required now is stability. To resolve the impasse, I want to step aside to prevent chaos,” Mr Kurz said as he announced his resignation.”
He further said, “First and foremost, however, I will of course use the opportunity to disprove the allegations against me.”
Two days ago, Kurz had tweeted (translated from German), “I will defend myself against accusations with all my might. As a people’s party, we were successfully elected in two elections, we stand for government cooperation with the Greens and are ready to continue this!” Original tweet in German:
Ich werde mich mit aller Kraft gegen Anschuldigungen wehren. Als Volkspartei wurden wir bei zwei Wahlen erfolgreich gewählt, stehen zur Regierungszusammenarbeit mit den Grünen und sind auch bereit diese fortzusetzen!https://t.co/2FOUvAxiY1
— Sebastian Kurz (@sebastiankurz) October 7, 2021
The Greens began talks with opposition parties, who were threatening to bring a vote of no confidence against Kurz. The Spokesman of Greens and Vice Chancellor of Austria – Werner Kogler has welcomed the resignation of Kurz.
Kogler tweeted (translated from German), “In the current situation, my aim is to guarantee stability for Austria. Original tweet in German:
In der aktuellen Situation geht es mir darum, Stabilität für Österreich zu garantieren. pic.twitter.com/Q7CfKpVFGa
— Werner Kogler (@WKogler) October 9, 2021
Kurz became leader of the ÖVP in May 2017 and led his party to victory in elections, becoming the youngest Chancellor of the world at the age of 31 years. Meanwhile, Kurz would remain the leader of his Party and continue to sit in the Parliament. As a leader of his Party, he would be present at Cabinet meetings.
Separately, there are speculations that Kurz’s resignation is temporary and that he will return shortly. Other Austrians say that the 2 corruption investigations and the collapse of his last coalition Government with the far-right Freedom Party in 2019, mean it is time for Kurz to leave politics.
