Choices are limited as Austrians head to presidential polls

Vienna - Austrians headed for polling stations on Sunday in the country's presidential elections - but their choices were limited to popular incumbent Heinz Fischer, controversial far-right candidate Barbara Rosenkranz and Christian ultraconservative Rudolf Gehring.

Social Democrat Fischer led in the latest forecasts with some 80 per cent. Other major parties did not field candidates for the largely ceremonial office.

Neither the center-right Peoples' Party nor the Greens thought they could defeat Fischer, who has enjoyed high popularity ratings in his first six-year-term.

In his campaign, the 71-year-old politician has presented himself as a calm bridge-builder between Austria's political camps. But he also stressed that the choice was between him, a statesman, and Rosenkranz, who has a controversial stance towards Holocaust deniers.

Rival parties and religious groups have attacked Rosenkranz over her earlier opposition to an existing constitutional law which bans neo-Nazi activities, including Holocaust denial.

The 51-year-old mother of 10 formally retracted her position. But even Freedom Party chief Strache later appeared to distance himself from her. He is already preparing for the Vienna city elections in autumn.

Christian Party candidate Gehring, 61, was widely perceived as representing a fringe movement.

Turnout was expected to be low as the outcome already seemed clear ahead of the election.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/320429,choices-are-limited-as-austrians-head-to-presidential-polls.html.