VIENNA, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) — Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen was set to win a second term as he was projected to get over 50 percent of the votes at the presidential election on Sunday and thus avoid a run-off vote.
Projections from Austrian broadcaster ORF on Sunday night showed that Van der Bellen won more than 56 percent of the votes in the election involving seven candidates.
Van der Bellen’s closest rival, Walter Rosenkranz from the Freedom Party of Austria, was expected to get around 18 percent of the votes.
The 78-year-old will serve another six years as the Austrian President in his second term.
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer on Sunday night congratulated Van der Bellen on his re-election on social media and said he looked forward to “continued good cooperation” with the Austrian President.
Austria’s new Chancellor Karl Nehammer (3rd L) and Austria’s President Alexander Van der Bellen (1st L) attend the swearing-in ceremony in Vienna, Austria, Dec. 6, 2021. (Photo by Georges Schneider/Xinhua)
In December 2016, Van der Bellen beat Freedom Party candidate Norbert Hofer in a tight presidential race.
Austria’s president traditionally plays a ceremonial role, but the president has the power to dissolve the National Council, the lower house of parliament, under the constitution. ■
