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Austria's 'grand coalition' projected to win election Early poll results give Austria's 'grand coalition' second term
(about 2 hours later)
Polls have closed in Austria's general election, with the ruling two-party "grand coalition" set to secure another five-year term. Austria's governing two-party "grand coalition" has gained enough votes for another five-year term, preliminary election results suggest.
Projections suggest the Social Democrats (SPOe) and the conservative People's Party (OeVP) have - just - retained a majority in parliament. The Social Democrats (SPOe) are on 27.1% and the conservative People's Party (OeVP) 23.8%, just enough for a parliamentary majority if they choose to renew their alliance.
But the far-right Freedom Party (FPOe) will be celebrating a projected rise in its share of the vote to 22.4%. The far-right Freedom Party (FPOe) rose to 21.4%.
More than six million Austrian voters were eligible to vote. Turnout was below 66%, well down on the last election in 2008.
They are choosing 183 deputies to the lower house of parliament. A party must cross a 4% hurdle to be represented in the chamber. Austrians, with an electorate of six million, were choosing 183 deputies for the lower house of parliament. A party must cross a 4% hurdle to be represented in the chamber.
Freedom Party successFreedom Party success
Initial projections published on Austria's public broadcaster gave Chancellor Werner Faymann's Social Democrats 26.4% and the People's Party 23.8%. Early results give Social Democrat Chancellor Werner Faymann's alliance with the People's Party a slim combined absolute majority of 50.9%, down from 55.3% in 2008. Postal and absentee ballots have still to be counted.
That projection gives them a slim combined absolute majority of 50.2%, down from 55.3% in 2008. Other projections gave similar results. If confirmed, Mr Faymann would most likely remain at the head of the coalition as chancellor. Mr Faymann appears set to remain at the head of the coalition as chancellor.
But if the predictions are correct, the anti-immigration, Eurosceptic Freedom Party increased its 17.5% share in 2008 by nearly five percentage points. The anti-immigration, Eurosceptic Freedom Party appears to have increased its 17.5% share in 2008 by nearly four percentage points.
That will give leader Heinz-Christian Strache much to cheer, though it still falls short of the shock 27% the party achieved under Joerg Haider in 1999.That will give leader Heinz-Christian Strache much to cheer, though it still falls short of the shock 27% the party achieved under Joerg Haider in 1999.
The governing parties had each claimed credit for keeping unemployment low during years of economic difficulties for the European Union.The governing parties had each claimed credit for keeping unemployment low during years of economic difficulties for the European Union.
The Social Democrats have also been focusing on pensions, pledging a tax on "millionaires" and cuts for low earners. The Social Democrats also focused on pensions, pledging a tax on "millionaires" and cuts for low earners.
Meanwhile, the People's Party - led by Michael Spindelegger - has been campaigning for measures to free businesses from red tape, rejecting the proposed wealth tax. Meanwhile, the People's Party - led by Michael Spindelegger - campaigned for measures to free businesses from red tape, rejecting the proposed wealth tax.
Scandals and inertiaScandals and inertia
Both parties have dominated Austrian politics since World War II, and appear set to continue to govern until at least 2018. Both parties have dominated Austrian politics since World War II, and look likely to 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 Freedom Party appears to have benefited from this slump. The party has accused the coalition of bloating the public sector, corruption and permitting too much immigration.The Freedom Party appears to have benefited from this slump. The party has accused the coalition of bloating the public sector, corruption and permitting too much immigration.
The Eurosceptic Team Stronach of Austro-Canadian billionaire Frank Stronach appears to have gained a foothold in parliament, winning 6%. The liberal New Austria party - Neos - will also be a newcomer to parliament if its projected 4.7% is confirmed. The Eurosceptic Team Stronach of Austro-Canadian billionaire Frank Stronach appears to have gained a foothold in parliament, winning 5.8%. The liberal New Austria party - Neos - could also be a newcomer to parliament with 4.8% according to preliminary results.
The Greens were projected to take 11.2%, a rise of 0.8%. In addition to their traditional environment themes, they have sought to capitalise on a funding scandal involving the coalition. The Greens are on 11.5%, a rise of one percentage point. In addition to their traditional environmental themes, they have sought to capitalise on a funding scandal involving the coalition.
Preliminary official results are expected later on Sunday - though postal votes will not be counted until Monday.