"My friend ..."

How Brussels reacts to the new federal government

Following the resignation of Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) at the beginning of January, Christian Stocker became the new ÖVP leader. The 64-year-old is now Federal Chancellor.(Bild: APA/HELMUT FOHRINGER)

Former Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) also followed the inauguration of the new government closely on Monday. He sent a message to his successor Christian Stocker on X

"The new federal government has big plans - I wish my friend Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker and his new team all the best, lots of strength and, above all, joy in the challenging and beautiful task of serving our country and the people," Nehammer wrote on X.

Nehammer resigned at the beginning of January
As a reminder: on January 4, Nehammer broke off coalition talks with the SPÖ and announced his resignation as chancellor and ÖVP leader. One day later, he resigned from the government. Christian Stocker took over the ÖVP as the new acting party leader. On Monday, he was sworn in as the new Federal Chancellor of the ÖVP-SPÖ-NEOS government by Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen.

The EU leaders in Brussels also congratulated Stocker on his new office. "Together we will make Austria and Europe safer and more competitive," emphasized Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The German CDU politician was also "glad that Europe can build on Austria in turbulent times". She is looking forward to working with Stocker.

EU Parliament President Roberta Metsola emphasized that "in these geopolitically uncertain times, Europe must remain united and act decisively and quickly." Austria plays an important role in this, said Metsola. 

EU Council President António Costa also congratulated Stocker via X. "I wish the new Federal Chancellor and the new Federal Government every success!" said the Portuguese, who has been in office since December.

"Shaping the future together"
Portugal's socialist former prime minister said he was "looking forward to our first joint European Council and working on the common challenges facing the EU. Together we will shape our common European future".

Stocker's inaugural visit to the EU possibly on Thursday
According to a spokesperson for the EU Commission, the date for the new Federal Chancellor's traditional inaugural visit to the EU institutions has not yet been officially set; however, it could be "on the fringes of the EU summit", the spokesperson said on Monday. The special summit of EU heads of state and government on Thursday in Brussels is likely to be the first at which Stocker will represent Austria in this context. The meeting will focus on strengthening Europe's defense capabilities and supporting Ukraine.

The European People's Party (EPP), to which the ÖVP belongs, also congratulated the new Austrian Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker and his ÖVP team on its X account in English: "We wholeheartedly congratulate the new Austrian Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker and his ÖVP team." And in German, repeating the motto of the government program, it read: "Do the right thing now. For Austria."

Congratulations also from Rome
Deputy Italian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also congratulated Stocker.

"From now on, we will work together for a safer and more competitive European Union and strengthen the historic bond between Austria and Italy," wrote Tajani on X. Tajani is a member of the governing party Forza Italia.