Austria’s position on the Russian Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, as well as the state’s rhetoric towards Russia, will not change after the resignation of Sebastian Kurz as the country’s federal chancellor. Alexander Dubovi shared such forecasts on Saturday, October 9.
He pointed out that the Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, who will take Kurz’s place, regardless of the course of government, will not affect the country’s further bilateral relations with Russia, since Kurz still remains at the head of the Austrian People’s Party.
“Despite today’s castling, Austria still remains in a political crisis and is more focused on domestic issues. Therefore, foreign policy, including relations with Russia, towards Nord Stream 2, to put it mildly, is not a priority at the moment. In general, the position of Austria will depend on the position of Germany and the new German government, ”the political scientist said during an interview with RIA Novosti.
Sebastian Kurz announced his resignation from the post of Austrian chancellor on Saturday in connection with an investigation by the anti-corruption prosecutor’s office. In order to avoid chaos and to maintain stability in the country, he decided to step aside and resign as head of government.
Kurz will retain the post of head of the conservative Austrian People’s Party and deputy of the National Council.
The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, commenting on the political event, recalled that Kurz’s resignation is an internal matter of the country, which the state must deal with on its own.
Political scientist Vladimir Shapovalov pointed out that Kurz’s departure from the post of Austrian Chancellor testifies to “the desire to clean up the political space” of players whose positions do not correspond to the anti-Russian positions of the West.