Austria has its first female chancellor to lead a transitional government

(Patria) – Austria has its first female chancellor who will lead a transitional government.

Brigitte Bierlein was appointed after the government of Sebastian Kurz, who was voted out of office due to a political crisis caused by a compromising video of his coalition partner, FPO leader Heinz-Christian Strache, was dissolved.

Bierlein (70) will form her cabinet, which will have parliamentary support until the next elections, most likely to be held in September.

After her appointment, the new chancellor stated that "the most important goal at the moment is to contribute to calming the situation and building trust among all political parties... in Austria, Europe, and the whole world."

Brigitte Bierlein has a long and successful legal career. She served as Chief Public Prosecutor and became the first female president of the Austrian Constitutional Court in January 2018.

Bierlein will select civil servants as her associates, just as she is one herself.

The President of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen, who appointed Bierlein, revealed that in the coming months "we will not see any major, long-term legislative initiatives," adding that the goal is to ensure the proper and orderly running of the country.