Austrians handed President Alexander Van der Bellen a second term on Sunday, rejecting populist challengers in the nation’s first election since coronavirus lockdowns and the war in Ukraine upended its economy.
The 78-year-old former Green Party leader had 55.4% support at Sunday’s vote with 65% of ballots counted, according to preliminary results compiled by the SORA Institute, above the 50% mark needed to avoid a runoff. Austrian broadcaster ORF called the election for the incumbent.
Van der Bellen steered Austria through its most turbulent post-World War II political period. He’s overseen the formation or dissolution of six Austrian governments since his 2016 election.
