Austrian Parliament passed a vote of no confidence in Chancellor Kurtz
By a decision of the Austrian National Council, which serves as the lower house of the country's parliament, a vote of no confidence was announced to incumbent Chancellor Sebastian Kurtz and his government. This step received support from deputies from the Social Democratic Party (SDPA), as well as from the Freedom Parties (APS) and JETZT.
Despite this decision of the Austrian parliament, the chancellor is likely to remain in power for several months, until his resignation is announced by federal president Alexander van der Bellen. And since Kurtz enjoys his support and trust, the president will not rush. Having relieved the Chancellor of his duties, he will have to form a new cabinet.
Since 1945, this is the first time in the history of Austria when the country's parliament has removed its chancellor from office.
The political crisis began with the publication of a scandalous video recording with the participation of the Vice-Chancellor and the head of the APS party, Heinz-Christian Strahe. On it, he talks with the Russian "businesswoman." After the publication of the record, he had to leave both the party position and the state.
In a six-minute video, a woman offers him funding for the 2017 election campaign and her informational support in exchange for access to government contracts.
After the recording was made public, Kurtz refused to work in a coalition with the APS, announced early parliamentary elections and replaced the departed ministers from the APS with representatives of the ruling Austrian People’s Party and experts. This caused discontent among opposition parties and eventually led to his resignation.
Despite this decision of the Austrian parliament, the chancellor is likely to remain in power for several months, until his resignation is announced by federal president Alexander van der Bellen. And since Kurtz enjoys his support and trust, the president will not rush. Having relieved the Chancellor of his duties, he will have to form a new cabinet.
Since 1945, this is the first time in the history of Austria when the country's parliament has removed its chancellor from office.
The political crisis began with the publication of a scandalous video recording with the participation of the Vice-Chancellor and the head of the APS party, Heinz-Christian Strahe. On it, he talks with the Russian "businesswoman." After the publication of the record, he had to leave both the party position and the state.
In a six-minute video, a woman offers him funding for the 2017 election campaign and her informational support in exchange for access to government contracts.
After the recording was made public, Kurtz refused to work in a coalition with the APS, announced early parliamentary elections and replaced the departed ministers from the APS with representatives of the ruling Austrian People’s Party and experts. This caused discontent among opposition parties and eventually led to his resignation.
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