Austria's ex-chancellor Kurz says he's leaving politics

Austria's former chancellor, Sebastian Kurz, said on Thursday that he is quitting politics. It came two months after stepping down as leader amid corruption allegations.

Kurz said the recent birth of his first child had motivated him to take the step. Kurz, 35, said he had always done his best for the country, but acknowledged having made some mistakes during his 10-year career. Kurz resigned as chancellor in October after Austrian prosecutors announced that he was one of the targets of an investigation into suspected bribery and breach of trust.

Kurz denied any wrongdoing. Kurz became the leader of his Austrian People’s Party and then chancellor in 2017. Austrian media reported that Interior Minister Karl Nehammer could replace Kurz as the head of the conservative Austrian People’s Party and possibly succeed Schallenberg as chancellor.