‘ Emperor Kurz’ on path to lead Austria
31- year- old right- wing leader touted as next Trudeau, Macron
Vienna, Oct. 13: Nicknamed “Wunderwuzzi” ( roughly translated, it means someone who can walk on water), the rise of 31- year- old Sebastian Kurz, described by one political analyst as Austria’s version of Emmanuel Macron and Justin Trudeau, has been as remarkable as it has been improbable.
The man widely expected to become Austria’s next Chancellor on Sunday, “Emperor Kurz’s” takeover of the center- right Austrian People’s Party ( ÖVP) in May proved radical.
In few short months since, he has transformed a party which has been in coalition government for the past 30 years into his own personal movement.
He’s re- branded, renaming it the “The New People’s Party”
On the campaign trail, selfie sessions with Sebastian Kurz, always in slim- cut suits and tie- less white shirts, last over two hours
( OeVP) and dumping its traditional black color scheme in favor of a bright turquoise hue aimed at giving it an “anti- establishment” look.
He has also pushed his party to the right of its already center- right stance, and taken up a firm position on the big issue dominating this election: Immigration.
The strategy of “putting Austrians first” propelled the sluggish OeVP to pole position in opinion polls, leaving the scandal- plagued Social
Democrats ( SPOe) of Chancellor Christian Kern fighting for second place with the anti- immigration Freedom Party ( FPOe).
On the campaign trail, Kurz gets a rock star welcome. Fans sporting