Alexander Schellenberg Steps Down as Austria's Chancellor

Alexander Schellenberg announced that he is stepping down as Austrian Chancellor after Sebastian Kurz surrendered politics, paving the way to the new leader for the People's Party, Reuters reported on Thursday.

Schellenberg took the responsibilities of the position after Kurz left it a few months ago amid corruption inquiries.

Therefore, the parliament set an urgent meeting for picking a new leader to shoulder the responsibilities of the state's chancellor after Schallenberg rejected to be appointed as the party's leader.

He said: "I firmly believe that both positions - head of government and leader of the Austrian party with the most votes - should soon once again be held by the same person," adding: "I am therefore making my post as chancellor available as soon as the relevant course has been set within the party."

Kurz stepped down last October after being involved in a  corruption case’s investigation related to his party.

He added that he already submitted the proposal of quitting his position, and he also recommended Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg to replace him.

So, Kurz asked his party to nominate another “irreproachable person” to take the position.

Next, he commented on the latest accusations, saying that they “are false and I will be able to clear this up – I am deeply convinced of that”.