Austria's Government Collapses, New Election Looms

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 15:56:40 +0000
Vittorio Hernandez - AHN News Writer

Vienna, Austria (AHN) - Austrian People's Party leader Wilhelm Molterer announced Tuesday he was leaving the governing coalition, leading to the collapse of the government.

Molterer, also the Finance Minister, said he found it difficult to work with the Social Democrats Party over differences on key policy issues. His decision splits the grand coalition which had been together since January 2007.

"Enough is enough. Good work in this government is no longer possible. We can't let the Social Democrats crisis become an Austrian crisis," Molterer said, quoted by BBC.

He recommended an immediate election, after Alfred Gusenbauer, Austria's unpopular chancellor, said he would not seek reelection. The new elections would most likely be held September.

Gusenbauer, at a press conference on Monday, suggested that he be replaced by Werner Faymann in the election for a new chancellor. Faymann is the leader of the party and current Transport Minister.

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