Abstention tarnishes the reelection of President Heinz Fischer of Austria
For Fischer, this election for a term of six years were a walk, but the participation of only 49% was the lowest recorded in the Alpine republic since the Second World War. In the last election date for the position in 2004 was 71.6 percent.
This man of 72 years, member of the Austrian Social Democratic Party (SPÖ) since his youth and known by its lack of charisma, but also by his moderation and his constant search for consensus, is the highest political level estimated in the national popularity.
officially confirmed after counting all votes, With only count the votes by post, will just effect, Fischer said he was “very satisfied” and “very grateful” for the absolute majority.
“I could never have dreamed . It is a fantastic result, “Fischer said before the television cameras, after stating that in his second term the Austrians can trust that will serve with the same tranquility and balance in their first six years, although some scoff of style.
He also thanked the support received by voters of other parties, including the Austrian People”s Party (ÖVP), which declined to submit its own candidate for this election.
He said the high abstention not mask his joy at the massive support it received from the electorate. “Above that will undoubtedly discussions, but I”m just happy with that 78 percent,” he said.
contributed to the widespread abstention sure that Fischer would leave a comfortable winner margin, the limited appeal of his two rivals, and the resignation of the ÖVP1000, the minority partner in the coalition of Social Democrats and popular in Austria, to present their own candidate.
general lack of interest also in the post of presidential candidates unappealing and disgust towards the political class in this country of 8.5 million people played a decisive role in many voters prefer the sun instead of going to the polls, according to a survey of public television ORF.
After the war in Austria, until now, never lost a president for re-election to a second term.
The election campaign was marked by slogans rather philosophical and well away from the daily problems that afflict the citizens of this prosperous Alpine country and member of the European Union since 1995, as the search for moral values, what seems to have discouraged many voters.
In second place, but far from Fischer, remained Barbara Rosenkranz, the amount of right-wing Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ), which reached 16% of the votes and that in recent weeks was known beyond Austria”s borders for its ambivalent attitude toward National Socialism by its election manifesto on the future of Austria.
Rosenkranz attributed their poor results what he called a “witch hunt” organized by the media against her, referring to accusations of not having time alienated his sympathies toward National Socialism and its atrocities, and said he is “not happy, but quite satisfied” the outcome election.
Even fewer votes, 5%, Rudolf picked Gehring, a perfect stranger in the Austrian political spectrum, the Christian Party of Austria, and has spoke out against abortion and has condemned homosexuality.
The very comfortable victory that Fischer was tight today contrasts with results achieved at the elections in 2004 with a victory of 52.39% against a more formidable rival The conservative Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the then Austrian Foreign Minister.
The second best result in the presidential elections since 1945 shows that in reality that the Austrians are satisfied with the work of Fischer as head of state, a position with broad ceremonial functions, one of its main obligations of the government appointment.
