“Every six years, the Austrians elect their head of state, the Federal President. The Federal Government is responsible for planning and conducting the election, and has now set an election date of October 9th,” explained Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) in a written statement. “I wish the candidates a good and fair election campaign and all the best.”
Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens) warned of fairness: “As Vice Chancellor, I would like to appeal to the candidates to conduct a respectful and fair election campaign. And I would like to call on the voters to make use of their right to vote. Because how many Voting makes a difference to the strength of democracy and the republic.”
Preparations are already underway
Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP), whose department is responsible for conducting the elections, said that “the Ministry of the Interior, as the federal electoral authority, and its experts have already started preparing for the elections.”
The announcement of the election of the Federal President by ordinance is a matter for the Federal Government. The election is to be announced in agreement with the Main Committee of the National Council, and the date must be published in the Federal Law Gazette. The key date is usually the 61st day before election day. The election day must be a Sunday or a public holiday; any second ballot must take place four weeks after the first ballot.
Source: Nachrichten
