Key facts
- Austrian Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer has been diagnosed with lymphoma.
- He will undergo treatment for the next three months.
- Marterbauer intends to remain in office and continue working during his treatment.
- He stated that the illness has very good chances of recovery.
- Treatment will be planned to allow him to fully fulfill his duties.
Austrian Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer announced on Monday that he has been diagnosed with lymphoma and will commence treatment immediately. The 61-year-old economist, who was brought into the government by the Social Democrats, stated that the illness has a high chance of recovery due to advancements in research and the Austrian healthcare system.
Marterbauer intends to continue working in his official capacity throughout his three-month treatment period. He explained that treatment sessions will be scheduled as additional appointments, potentially leading to occasional rescheduling of some engagements, but assured that his duties and responsibilities would be fully met. The statement did not specify the type of lymphoma or the exact treatment plan, and a spokesperson declined to provide further details.
Opinion polls indicate Marterbauer is the most popular minister within the ruling three-party coalition, which is led by the conservative People's Party. He has been a key figure in efforts to bring Austria's budget deficit within the European Union's 3% of economic output limit. Meanwhile, his party and other coalition partners have seen declining support, with gains favoring the far-right Freedom Party.