VIENNA (Reuters) - Austria's ruling Social Democratic Party (SPO) fully backs rail boss Christian Kern to become the country's next chancellor, the party's acting leader said on Friday, effectively paving the way for Kern to lead the embattled coalition government.
Werner Faymann stepped down as chancellor on Monday, bowing to a party revolt that erupted after the SPO's candidate in Austria's presidential election crashed out in the first round, far behind the winner from the anti-immigration Freedom Party (FPO). A second round will be held on May 22.