Austria has welcomed its new chancellor, Christian Stocker, who was sworn in on Monday after five months of coalition talks between the three main parties. The centre-right People’s Party (ÖVP), centre-left Social Democrats (SPÖ) and liberal Neos formed a deal last week after their first attempt to form a coalition failed. Grassroots members of Neos voted overwhelmingly in favour, removing the final obstacle.
Stocker, 65, has never served in a national government, but was chosen as ÖVP’s head from former chancellor Karl Nehammer. The new chancellor will lead Austria’s first three-party coalition since the 1940s and promises to tackle issues such as asylum seekers and housing laws.
The five-month negotiations were the longest in Austrian history. President Alexander Van der Bellen joked that “good things come to those who wait,” referring to the prolonged talks. Stocker expressed his commitment to the European Union and has taken a critical stance against Russia, differing from far-right leader Hebert Kickl, who remains locked in opposition despite initial attempts at a coalition.
The new government’s policy agenda includes stricter asylum seeker measures, revised tenancy laws, and planned benefits cuts. Stocker will oversee these changes as Austria’s new chancellor.
Source: https://www.euronews.com/2025/03/03/australian-man-whose-blood-donations-saved-24m-babies-dies-aged-88