After recovering from disc surgery in early November, Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen resumed his official duties in the Hofburg on Wednesday. He also provided an update on his current health status.
During his recovery, Van der Bellen was represented by Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP).
Van der Bellen performed the swearing-in ceremony
The media highlight of the day for Van der Bellen on Wednesday morning was the swearing-in of former section leader Gunter Mayr as the new Minister of Finance.
Intervertebral disc surgery “successful”
The head of state also used the appointment as an opportunity to thank Nehammer for his representation. “As you all know, I had to have disc surgery.” This was successful and the pain ‘disappeared’. The healing process is proceeding satisfactorily, said the head of state, who also thanked the treating doctors and the entire hospital staff for all the good wishes.
Van der Bellen then devoted himself to Mayr’s swearing-in. “Today’s entrustment and swearing in has good European reasons,” said Van der Bellen, referring to the appointment of Magnus Brunner as EU Commissioner, whom he thanked for his services to the Republic.
The Federal Constitution rightly provides that “there is always a federal government capable of action,” the president said when Mayr was sworn in. “You are not taking office at an easy time,” he said, looking at the faltering economic situation. “This obviously has consequences for the budget.”
Van der Bellen also referred to other challenges such as the ‘volatile security architecture’, the climate crisis and the election of the new US President Donald Trump, with which ‘a lot will change’, but ‘we don’t know what yet’. .
Van der Bellen about the ‘sugar coalition’
Van der Bellen also mentioned the coalition talks currently underway between the ÖVP, SPÖ and NEOS. “The exploratory phase now moves to government negotiations.” The time for this would be “well spent” if it leads to a promising agreement, he said.
He asked Nehammer to take “a few minutes” after Mayr was sworn in to report to him on the status of the coalition talks. Both then retreated to the president’s office for a brief conversation.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
