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Austria's 'grand coalition' eyes election victory Austria's 'grand coalition' eyes election victory
(about 2 hours later)
Voters in Austria are due to vote in general elections, with the ruling two-party "grand coalition" predicted to secure another five-year term. Austrians are voting in a general election, with the ruling two-party "grand coalition" predicted to secure another five-year term.
Opinion polls suggest Chancellor Werner Faymann's Social Democrats (SPOe) and the conservative People's Party (OeVP) will retain a majority in parliament.Opinion polls suggest Chancellor Werner Faymann's Social Democrats (SPOe) and the conservative People's Party (OeVP) will retain a majority in parliament.
But a bad result may force the pro-Europe parties to seek a third partner.But a bad result may force the pro-Europe parties to seek a third partner.
Several Eurosceptic parties - including the far-right Freedom Party (FPOe) - are also running in the elections.Several Eurosceptic parties - including the far-right Freedom Party (FPOe) - are also running in the elections.
Scandals and inertiaScandals and inertia
On Sunday, more than six million Austrian voters are eligible to take part in the elections.On Sunday, more than six million Austrian voters are eligible to take part in the elections.
They are choosing 183 deputies to the lower house of parliament. A party must cross a 4% hurdle to be represented in the chamber.They are choosing 183 deputies to the lower house of parliament. A party must cross a 4% hurdle to be represented in the chamber.
The latest polls put the SPOe - which is currently the party with the most seats - at 27%, while the OeVP was at 22%. The anti-immigrant FPOe was close third (21%).The latest polls put the SPOe - which is currently the party with the most seats - at 27%, while the OeVP was at 22%. The anti-immigrant FPOe was close third (21%).
The governing parties have each claimed credit for keeping unemployment low during years of economic difficulties for the European Union.The governing parties have each claimed credit for keeping unemployment low during years of economic difficulties for the European Union.
The SPOe has also been focusing on pensions, pledging a tax on "millionaires" and cuts for low earners.The SPOe has also been focusing on pensions, pledging a tax on "millionaires" and cuts for low earners.
Meanwhile, the OeVP - led by Michael Spindelegger - has been campaigning for measures to free businesses from red tape, rejecting the proposed wealth tax.Meanwhile, the OeVP - led by Michael Spindelegger - has been campaigning for measures to free businesses from red tape, rejecting the proposed wealth tax.
Both parties have dominated Austrian politics since World War II, and may well continue to govern until at least 2018.Both parties have dominated Austrian politics since World War II, and may well continue to govern until at least 2018.
However, a series of scandals and perceived inertia have hit their popularity among the voters.However, a series of scandals and perceived inertia have hit their popularity among the voters.
The FPOe, headed by by Heinz-Christian Strache, is hoping to benefit from this slump. The party has accused the coalition of bloating the public sector, corruption and permitting too much immigration.The FPOe, headed by by Heinz-Christian Strache, is hoping to benefit from this slump. The party has accused the coalition of bloating the public sector, corruption and permitting too much immigration.
Also expected to do well are the Greens. In addition to their traditional environment themes, they have sought to capitalise on a funding scandal involving the coalition.Also expected to do well are the Greens. In addition to their traditional environment themes, they have sought to capitalise on a funding scandal involving the coalition.
Polls open at 05:00 GMT and close at 15:00 GMT, with the first results expected within hours. Polls opened at 05:00 GMT and will close at 15:00 GMT, with the first results expected within hours.
However, if the result if close, the outcome may not be clear until Monday, when absentee ballots are counted.However, if the result if close, the outcome may not be clear until Monday, when absentee ballots are counted.