Austrian Social Democratic Party to announce new leader next week

The Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPO) is to announce a new party leader next Tuesday and look for the next Austrian chancellor following the surprise resignation of Werner Faymann on Monday.

State leaders of the party along with Vienna Mayor Michael Haeupl convened in the national capital on Monday, where it was decided the confirmation of a new leader would be done by Tuesday next week.

Haeupl will for now take over the role of SPO party leader in the interim, while vice-chancellor and leader of coalition partner the People's Party Reinhold Mitterlehner has been tasked with taking over as acting chancellor.

Haeupl said while some patience will be required before Austrians will find out who the successor to Faymann will be, the process to find the person should take place quickly.

It is also assumed that the person chosen to lead the SPO will also take on the role of chancellor. Haeupl said he believed it best that these two responsibilities are not separated.

Local media has speculated that one of the favorites to take on the role is current CEO of the Austrian Federal Railways (OeBB) Christian Kern, who was previously a party functionary.

Government leaders including Mitterlehner have stated they see no reason for a new election to take place following Faymann's departure.

The outgoing chancellor had officially been relieved of his duty by President Heinz Fischer on Monday. Faymann quit after losing the support of his party colleagues.

Source: XINHUA