A few days before the ÖVP party conference on Saturday, the People’s Party has to look for a new agriculture minister. Elisabeth Köstinger, who is also responsible for tourism, telecommunications and community service, among other things, is to announce her resignation in the morning. At 11 a.m. Köstinger will make a “personal statement” to the media. The 43-year-old is reportedly retiring from politics entirely and moving into the private sector.
Köstinger was considered a close confidant of former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP). Under him, the former MEP rose to become Secretary General, short-term President of the National Council and finally Minister. She has been a member of the government since the end of 2017, with an interruption due to the expert cabinets.
The 43-year-old’s resignation could also lead to a major government shift. According to reports, Economics Minister Margarete Schramböck is also about to jump. Who follows Köstinger is open at the moment. It is expected that – following the tradition of the VP agriculture ministers – someone from the farmers’ association will take over the ministerial office.
Source: Nachrichten
