Austria’s new chancellor resigns; predecessor quits politics

By FRANK JORDANS
Associated Press

BERLIN (AP) — Austrian Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg has announced he is stepping down just two months after taking over from predecessor Sebastian Kurz. In a written statement Schallenberg, a former foreign minister, said he would leave as soon as the conservative Austrian People’s Party names a new leader. Kurz was the party’s leader, and some had speculated he might return as chancellor. But he announced Thursday morning that he was quitting politics entirely to spend more time with his family. Schallenberg took office after Austrian prosecutors announced that Kurz was a target of an investigation into suspected bribery and breach of trust. Austrian media report that Interior Minister Karl Nehammer could become the party’s new leader and Austria’s chancellor.