Christian Kern sworn in as new Austrian chancellor

VIENNA – Christian Kern has been sworn in as Austria’s new chancellor, just over a week after his predecessor resigned amid falling support and dissent in his party.

The 50-year-old Kern, who previously ran Austria’s national railway, was sworn in Tuesday by President Heinz Fischer. He is also taking over the leadership of the Social Democrats, the biggest party in the governing coalition, from ex-Chancellor Werner Faymann.

Kern described himself as “a newly minted politician” who wants to overcome persistent squabbling in the coalition government with the conservative People’s Party.

Fatigue with governing parties, along with concern over the migrant crisis, has helped push the Euroskeptic right-wing Freedom Party higher in polls.

Kern acknowledged that the mood in Austria is poor and said “we have to turn around this bad mood.”