Kurz will have much leverage over new Austrian leader

Significance

Despite stepping down, Kurz will remain leader of the centre-right Austrian People’s Party (OVP) and the party’s parliamentary group leader. The Greens, which had threatened to bring down the government under Kurz, now appear placated and ready to work with Schallenberg.

Impacts

• Declining support for Kurz and the OVP would likely benefit the far-right Freedom Party.
• Kurz's resignation will lead to pressure for more regulation on political campaign advertisements.
• The electoral defeat of Germany’s CDU and Kurz’s resignation will weaken the influence of the centre-right European People’s Party.