Christian Kern | Sabine Hauswirth/EPA
Christian Kern named as new Austrian Chancellor
He is currently chief of Austria's Railway Company ÖBB.
By	Cynthia Kroet
Christian Kern will be named as Austria's new Chancellor and leader of the Social-Democratic Party (SPÖ), the Austrian official news agency (APA) reported Thursday. He will replace Werner Faymman who resigned on Monday.
Kern, 50, is currently chief of Austria's Railway Company ÖBB, a position he has held since 2010. APA reported that he is the only candidate to take the position and his official appointment would only be a formality.
Austrian media say that Kern met SPÖ interim leader and the mayor of Vienna, Michael Häupl, on Thursday, where he was endorsed by major party figures. According to reports the official announcement is expected on Friday and a new government could be presented as soon as Wednesday.
Faymann, who had been chancellor since 2008, said on Monday that he is leaving the government because he had lost the trust of his party in the face of a right-wing surge in Austria's presidential elections.
Norbert Hofer, the candidate for the right-wing Freedom Party finished first with 35 percent in the first round of the vote last month. The second round will take place on May 22.
In recent months, Faymann has faced intense criticism, both from within and outside of his party, over his handling of the refugee crisis and the economy.
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