BERLIN (AP) — Austria’s main opposition party is set to make a former health minister its new leader after ex-Chancellor Christian Kern announced his departure.
The Austria Press Agency reported that Kern said Saturday that the center-left Social Democrats’ top leadership unanimously endorsed Pamela Rendi-Wagner, a 47-year-old doctor. She will be the first woman to lead the party. A party meeting Tuesday will formally nominate her as chairwoman.
Rendi-Wagner is a relative newcomer, having joined the party only 1½ years ago.
Kern announced last week he was stepping down to become the party’s top candidate in next year’s European Parliament election.
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Kern became party leader and chancellor in May 2016, then opposition leader last December after conservative leader Sebastian Kurz formed a coalition government with the far-right Freedom Party.