Austria's health minister resigns, says he's overworked

BERLIN: Austria's health minister announced his resignation on Tuesday, saying that he couldn't continue in the gruelling job of helping lead the country's Coronavirus response because of persistent personal health problems caused by overwork.

Rudolf Anschober, 60, had been health minister since January last year, when his Green party became the junior partner in a governing coalition under conservative Chancellor Sebastian Kurz. The soft-spoken minister has been one of the main faces of Austria's Coronavirus response, which has gathered mixed reviews.

Anschober, who suffered a burnout nine years ago, said he had suffered two episodes of sudden fatigue in the past month, as well as high blood pressure and tinnitus.

He said he had clearly overworked and hadn't felt completely fit for several weeks. This wasn't a burnout, he added, but doctors advised him to take a break. In the most serious health crisis for decades, the republic needs a health minister who is 100% fit, Anschober said.