Austria will elect a new Federal President on Sunday 9 October. As reported, more than 20 people have already announced their candidacy. However, to be actually nominated, they must have collected at least 6,000 statements of support by September 2. Supporting the preferred candidate is not so easy. How to get through the bureaucratic jungle can be found here at krone.at
In principle, all Austrian citizens who are 16 years old by 9 October at the latest can submit a declaration of support. Those living abroad must be specifically registered in the electorate. The statement must then be submitted to the Federal Electoral Authority on September 2 at 5 p.m. so that it can be counted. It should be noted that the signature must be placed earlier, as the route to the relevant candidate must be taken into account.
Personal official channel required
But let’s start at the beginning: if you want to submit a statement of support, you must go in person to the responsible municipality or magistrate and bring an official photo ID (eg passport, driver’s license or identity card). The form must be certified, ie signed on the spot. This is to prevent forgery. The document (click here to download) can be completed both at home and at the office of the main residence. There are forms there. The exact terms of office can usually be found on the websites of the municipalities or magistrates.
Austrians living abroad can submit their declaration of support to an Austrian representative authority (eg consulate). In all cases, it should be noted that only one candidate can be supported. Otherwise the signatures are invalid. The declaration itself does not count as a vote (unlike referendums, please note), another person can be re-elected on Election Day.
Notarial deed possible
Another option is to have the declaration notarized. This can have the advantage that evening appointments are also possible, but there are often costs involved. In addition, the municipality or the magistrate can request that the statement of support be personally handed over afterwards.
How the statement comes to the candidate
However, signing and appearing in person before the office is not enough. The statement of support must also reach the relevant candidate. This can be done by post or at certain institutions of the candidates and their parties. Some are open longer than the municipalities and magistrates, although in some cases the exact opening times and addresses are published on the respective websites.
Please also note that this is only possible in your main residence. In other words: if you live in Vienna, you cannot submit your declaration of support in the Salzkammergut. In addition, the statement can only be collected and handed in to the political institutions, but cannot be signed. The candidates themselves decide how to accept the statements of support. You can, but do not have to, pay the postage.
High number of candidates
The form and the official channels themselves take time, but do not incur any costs. The situation is different for the applicants. Together with the signatures, they must also hand over a contribution towards the costs of 3600 euros each. So far, more than 20 candidates, including two female candidates, have announced their intention to run in the federal presidential election.
Among them are incumbent Alexander Van der Bellen, FPÖ candidate Walter Rosenkranz, MFG boss Michael Brunner, “Turbobier” singer and local politician Dominik Wlazny (Marco Pogo), ex-FPÖ and BZÖ politician Gerald Grosz, the former ” Krone” columnist Tassilo Wallentin and shoe manufacturer Heini Staudinger (“Waldviertler”). Relatively less well known are Helga Egger, Mark Hanno Fessl, Franz Gollowitsch, Konstantin Haslauer, Oliver Hoffmann, Rudolf Remigius Kleinschnitz, Gerhard Kuchta, Robert Marschall, Wolfgang Ottowitz, David Packer, Barbara Rieger, Thomas Schaurecker, Johann Peter Schutte, Hubert Thurnhofer and Anatolij Volk and Roland Ludomirska.
Anyone who gets the required 6,000 statements of support will be on the ballot in the federal presidential election. More than half of the valid votes are then needed to become the next Federal President. If no one obtains a majority, there will be a second round on the fourth Sunday after the first vote (November 6). The term of office is six years, re-election is allowed only once (for the immediately following term).
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
