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Far right gains in Austria vote Far right gains in Austria vote
(10 minutes later)
Austria's Social Democrats won the most votes in the country's early election but far right parties made significant gains, the interior ministry has said.Austria's Social Democrats won the most votes in the country's early election but far right parties made significant gains, the interior ministry has said.
Preliminary official results from Sunday's poll show Social Democrats with 29.7% of the vote.Preliminary official results from Sunday's poll show Social Democrats with 29.7% of the vote.
But the country's two far right parties made large gains, winning a total vote share of 29% between them.But the country's two far right parties made large gains, winning a total vote share of 29% between them.
The conservative People's Party, which was in a faltering coalition with the Social Democrats, won 25.6%.The conservative People's Party, which was in a faltering coalition with the Social Democrats, won 25.6%.
The interior minister, Maria Fekter, said the far right Freedom Party had won 18.01% percent of the vote and the Alliance for the Future of Austria had 10.98%.The interior minister, Maria Fekter, said the far right Freedom Party had won 18.01% percent of the vote and the Alliance for the Future of Austria had 10.98%.
The elections were called after Austria's 18-month-old coalition collapsed.The elections were called after Austria's 18-month-old coalition collapsed.
The BBC's Bethany Bell, in Vienna, described the far right gains as a "slap in the face" to the centrist parties. The BBC's Bethany Bell, in Vienna, described the far right gains as a "slap in the face" to the centrist parties, which suffered their worse results since World War II.
Full official results will not be known until absentee and postal ballots, making up about 10% of the votes, are counted. Final results will not be released until 6 October after absentee and postal ballots, making up about 10% of the votes, are counted.
Outrage across EuropeOutrage across Europe
For the first time in an EU country, 16 and 17-year-olds were able to vote. This bloc represented about 200,000 of the 6.3 million-strong electorate.For the first time in an EU country, 16 and 17-year-olds were able to vote. This bloc represented about 200,000 of the 6.3 million-strong electorate.
Elections were last held in October 2006. It took a further six months for the government to form a cabinet.Elections were last held in October 2006. It took a further six months for the government to form a cabinet.
AUSTRIA FACTS Population: 8.3mElectorate: 6.3mOver 16-year-old voters: 200,000National Council seats: 183 Rebounding Austrian rightCountry profile: AustriaAUSTRIA FACTS Population: 8.3mElectorate: 6.3mOver 16-year-old voters: 200,000National Council seats: 183 Rebounding Austrian rightCountry profile: Austria
The far right showing was its strongest showing in Austria since 2000, when the Freedom Party won 28% and gained a place in the coalition government with the conservatives. The far right showing was its strongest since 2000, when the Freedom Party won 28% and gained a place in the coalition government with the conservatives.
That development sparked outrage across Europe and for several months Austria was placed under EU sanctions.That development sparked outrage across Europe and for several months Austria was placed under EU sanctions.
In this election, the shape of any future governing coalition is hard to predict, our correspondent said, before the vote. Our correspondent said the shape of any future governing coalition is hard to predict given the fractious history among many of the key players.
Analysts say the far right could re-enter government but only after all other options are exhausted.Analysts say the far right could re-enter government but only after all other options are exhausted.
These include another grand coalition or pacts with the Greens or the two other smaller parties. These include another grand coalition - an option most Austrians oppose - or pacts with the Greens or the two other smaller parties.