ÖVP minister leaves

Susanne Raab about to leave – where she is going now

The decision to withdraw had already been made in December, according to reports.

(Bild: SEPA.Media KG | Michael Indra | www.sepa.media)

Media, Integration and Women's Affairs Minister Susanne Raab (ÖVP) is about to retire from top politics. She has applied for a top position at an international migration agency.

According to the "Krone" newspaper, she is likely to be drawn to the International Center for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), the international migration agency currently headed by former ÖVP leader Michael Spindelegger. Raab is likely to succeed him as Director General - Spindelegger is retiring at the end of the year.

I am convinced that migration is a key issue for the future. I would therefore like to make my contribution to solving this challenge at international level.

Integrationsministerin Susanne Raab

According to the outgoing minister, her decision to retire from politics - which will only take effect at the official end of the current government - was made at the end of December. Raab had applied to the ICMPD as part of a public tender.

Member states must first vote
However, Raab's involvement is not yet a done deal - it is an application, it is emphasized. Raab still has to be elected Director General by the agency's members.

We must have the best possible international network. I am delighted that Dr. Susanne Raab has agreed to enter the race for the leadership of this important organization.

Außenminister Alexander Schallenberg

Headquartered in Vienna, the ICMPD was founded in 1993 and has 21 member countries. The organization is active in more than 90 countries, engages in networking and develops migration policy strategies. In practice, the agency strives to "build operational capacities".

Black cards reshuffled
Overall, the ÖVP team is likely to be thoroughly reshuffled in the future. After all, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg recently announced that he would not be available for a government under Herbert Kickl. Such an announcement was also made by Education Minister Martin Polaschek, at least before the election. 

Chancellery Minister Karoline Edtstadler had already announced her withdrawal a few weeks ago following the formation of the government, but was then again considered a possible candidate to succeed Karl Nehammer.