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Slim lead for Austrian opposition Victory for Austrian opposition
(about 1 hour later)
Early election results in Austria suggest a surprise win for the opposition Social Democrats. Austria's opposition Social Democrats have won a surprise election victory, defeating Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel's People's Party.
With 90% of votes counted, the Social Democrats had almost 36%, with 34% for the centre-right party led by Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel. With all but absentee ballots counted, the centre-left Social Democrats won35.7% of the vote, and the People's Party trailed with 34.2%.
Mr Schuessel said it would take "a small miracle" for his party to win. Even as results were being counted, Mr Schuessel said it would take "a small miracle" for his party to win.
The far right Freedom Party, which ran an anti-immigrant campaign, is in third place with 11%, followed by the Greens at 10%. The Social Democrat's Alfred Gusenbauer is likely to become the new chancellor.
The far right Freedom Party, which ran an anti-immigrant campaign, came in at third place with 11%, followed by the Greens at 10%.
The far-right party founded by Joerg Haider, the Alliance for the Future of Austria, seems just to have made it into parliament with 4% - this, despite its split from the Freedom Party last year.The far-right party founded by Joerg Haider, the Alliance for the Future of Austria, seems just to have made it into parliament with 4% - this, despite its split from the Freedom Party last year.
Before the vote, opinion polls had suggested a narrow victory for Mr Schuessel's party.Before the vote, opinion polls had suggested a narrow victory for Mr Schuessel's party.
Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel has all but admitted defeatWhatever the final results, coalition negotiations are likely to be time-consuming and difficult, reports the BBC's Bethany Bell in Vienna. Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel has all but admitted defeatCoalition negotiations are likely to be time-consuming and difficult, reports the BBC's Bethany Bell in Vienna.
The most obvious alliance is a grand coalition between the People's Party and the Social Democrats, an option preferred by many Austrians.The most obvious alliance is a grand coalition between the People's Party and the Social Democrats, an option preferred by many Austrians.
Otherwise, the conservatives could in theory try to form a coalition with the two far-right parties. But so far, Austria's leading politicians are refusing to commit themselves.Otherwise, the conservatives could in theory try to form a coalition with the two far-right parties. But so far, Austria's leading politicians are refusing to commit themselves.
Mr Schuessel took office in 2000 in a controversial alliance with the far-right Freedom Party, then led by Mr Haider. He won re-election in 2002.Mr Schuessel took office in 2000 in a controversial alliance with the far-right Freedom Party, then led by Mr Haider. He won re-election in 2002.
The Social Democrats, led by Alfred Gusenbauer, accuse the chancellor of fostering social divisions.
More than six million Austrian voters were eligible to vote for the 183-seat parliament.More than six million Austrian voters were eligible to vote for the 183-seat parliament.