Australian election winner Anthony Albanese has been sworn in as the country’s 31st Prime Minister. Just two days after the vote, the 59-year-old Labor chief took his oath of office before Governor General David Hurley on Monday. Several ministers of the new cabinet were sworn in with him in Canberra, including the new Secretary of State, Penny Wong.
However, the counting of the votes is still ongoing and it is still unclear whether Albanese can govern with an absolute majority or whether it will depend on the votes of other parties.
The swearing-in took place so quickly because Albanese and Wong plan to attend a summit meeting with US President Joe Biden and the heads of government from Japan and India in Tokyo on Tuesday. At the so-called Quad Summit, the focus should be on striving for a free and open Indo-Pacific. The states are trying not to let China’s influence in the region continue to grow.
