The big interview

Chancellor Stocker: “Wants to stay in politics longer”

The chancellor in conversation with "Krone" journalist Conny Bischofberger

(Bild: Eva Manhart)

A lawyer is Austria's new head of government: in his first major interview, Christian Stocker talks about his stellar career, sharp-tonguedness and velvet gloves and why terms such as "turncoat" or "chancellor without hair" don't offend him at all.

Nothing has changed in the "Kreisky Room" on Ballhausplatz since Dr. Christian Stocker, the ninth ÖVP Federal Chancellor of the Second Republic and the first "doctor" after Brigitte Bierlein, moved in. Black and white portraits of Leopold Figl and Julius Raab hang on the wall, except for the illuminated blue Vespa on the historic 300-kilo desk, which was given to him by office neighbor Claudia Plakolm. The new head of government is wearing a midnight blue suit, a light blue and white checked tie and dark cufflinks to match his jacket. A Rolex Explorer with an orange time zone hand flashes from his left sleeve. Stocker drinks an espresso and explains his world with the calm and composure of a Tibetan Buddha.

"Krone": Greetings, Mr. Federal Chancellor. I read that you like this greeting ...
Christian Stocker: "Grüß Gott" is the greeting that expresses my family background and has accompanied me my whole life. I come from a conservative family and was brought up in the Catholic faith, especially by my grandparents. I was also an altar boy at school. This greeting was common in the country and I kept it.