Austria’s right-wing ministers resign after early election expected

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May 21, 2019

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Austrian Interior Minister Herbert Kickl of the Austrian Freedom Party

With the Austrian government hit by a political crisis that is expected to result in an early election, the government Freedom Party has announced all its ministers would step down from the Cabinet.

German public broadcaster Deutsche Welle reports that Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz on Monday, May 20, called on the Austrian President to dismiss Interior Minister Herbert Kickl of the right-wing Freedom Party (FPÖ) following the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache, also from the party.

This triggered an announcement from the FPÖ that it was withdrawing the rest of its ministers in solidarity.

Under the Austrian system, the chancellor can propose the removal of a government minister but this needs to be approved by the president.

Kurz said he had discussed with President Alexander Van der Bellen that ministerial posts would be taken over by civil servants and technocrats should the FPÖ withdraw its remaining Cabinet members. The defense, labor, foreign and transport portfolios have been held by FPÖ or FPÖ-linked lawmakers.

However, the government may also have to survive a no-confidence vote that opposition parliamentarians have planned for next week.

Call for snap election as soon as possible

Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen stated on Sunday, May 19, that he recommends snap parliamentary elections be held in early September following a scandal that brought down the coalition government.

«This new beginning should take place quickly, as quickly as the provisions of the Federal Constitution permit, so I plead for elections … in September, if possible at the beginning of September,»

the Austrian President stated in Vienna after talks with Chancellor Sebastian Kurz.

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