The new Federal Chancellor has to mend the recently difficult relationship with Brussels and some EU partners. Only: His previous experience was very one-sided limited to migration.
It was a surprise that it happened so quickly: During his inaugural visit to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday, the two immediately switched to informal Du. Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) has to mend a lot in relation to the EU leadership and EU partners, which his predecessor Sebastian Kurz caused in Brussels through accusations of blame and some diplomatic faux pas, which were perceived as excessive. At least atmospherically, the new Federal Chancellor should have succeeded in doing this when he took office in Brussels. He was received with open arms.