After his resignation as Chancellor of Austria, Sebastian Kurz (35) will enter a new era on Thursday. As the parliamentary group leader of the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP), he has a seat in the Austrian National Council. His era in the center of power is over, at least temporarily.
The former Chancellor published an emotional video on Thursday morning. Under the heading “Continue working for Austria”, Kurz says that the past few days have been “like a rollercoaster ride”. «Disappointment, resignation, anger – these are all feelings that I can understand very well. Because, to be honest, it felt the same to me, ”says Kurz.
“I’m only human too”
But now it is a matter of Austria being governed in a stable manner again. That’s why he took a step to the side. He denies the allegations that Kurz will become a shadow chancellor behind the new chancellor Alexander Schallenberg (52). “But I will do everything I can to support Alexander Schallenberg and his government team as best as possible,” says Kurz.
So he talks about leaked SMS, in which he misjudged the tone and, among other things, described the former party leader of the ÖVP as an “ass”. Kurz says that not all of the text messages that are currently being dealt with by the media came from him. Nevertheless, he partially misappropriated the tone. “But just as I don’t walk around in a suit at home, I’m not just a politician, I’m a person. I am not a robot, but a person with flaws, and yes, unfortunately sometimes with formulations that I would not use in public, ”asserts the former Chancellor.
Allegations are to be refuted
Sebastian Kurz had to resign this week after house searches of close confidants. He is suspected of having bought public opinion with fake studies. One allegation is that these were paid for with taxpayers’ money.
Kurz assumes that all allegations against him will be refuted. “I haven’t been guilty of anything criminal in my entire life,” he says. He is therefore glad that experts also have doubts about the allegations against him. “More and more experts say there is no evidence of incitement. I’ll prove that at the end of the day. ” (zis)