Conservative Christian Stocker has been sworn in as Austria’s chancellor at the head of a three-party coalition government, ending five months of political deadlock that followed a far-right party’s election win.

Just months before becoming chancellor of Austria on Monday, Christian Stocker was a party functionary with no ministerial experience, fast approaching retirement age and barely known outside the political bubble.

AUSTRIA’S new government took office today, with Christian Stocker appointed chancellor at the head of a previously untried three-party coalition after a five-month wait for a new administration. The new government will have to deal with rising unemployment, a recession and a creaking budget.