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Austrian government’s No. 2 figure says he will step down

By Thomson Reuters Oct 4, 2026 | 2:49 PM

VIENNA, Oct 4 (Reuters) – Austrian Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler ​said on ‌Sunday he would quit his position and step down at ‌the ​start ⁠of next year ⁠as leader of the ruling Social Democrats, the second ​party in Austria’s three-way government.

The ⁠party’s leadership ⁠agreed in ​meetings on Sunday that ​Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer, ‌who is undergoing treatment for cancer, would ⁠replace Babler as vice chancellor early next year ⁠and ‌Babler would ⁠step down as ​party ‌leader at the ​same ⁠time, Babler told a press conference.

(Reporting by Francois Murphy; Editing by Cynthia ​Osterman)