After weeks of intensive campaigns, 6,363,489 Austrians are now being called upon to elect a head of state. Can incumbent Alexander Van der Bellen – despite a record field of seven candidates – win the re-election in the first round? krone.at reports live.
The more recent studies predict a result between 51 and 59 percent for Van der Bellen.
- 6,363,489 Austrians can decide today whether Alexander Van der Bellen should remain president for another six years – or whether they prefer one of his six competitors.
- The election started early Sunday morning: the first polling stations opened their doors at 6 a.m., a few more half an hour later, most between 7 and 8 a.m. The nationwide vote closes at 5 p.m.
- Tassilo Wallentin cast his vote in central Vienna at 9 a.m. on Sunday morning as the first of seven candidates for the office of Federal President.
If Van der Bellen wins, another record will be set on the day of the swearing in: with him the oldest federal president since the introduction of the popular elections in 1951 would be sworn in. The then elected head of state, Theodor Körner, was the record holder until now – at the age of 78 when he was sworn in. Van der Bellen will turn 79 on January 26, 2023 (when the next term of office begins) (born January 18, 1944).
Pollsters and political experts give Van der Bellen the best chance of closing the bag on Sunday, and not just because of the polls. Also among the candidates, with Walter Rosenkranz of the FPÖ, there is only one candidate nominated by a parliamentary party – and who can therefore hope for their Austrian mobilization power.
Source: Krone
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