Austrians elect new president

Austrians rejected a candidate backed by far-right firebrand Joerg Haider in a presidential election yesterday, picking instead an opposition Social Democrat for the largely ceremonial post.

With about 60 per cent of votes tallied, state broadcaster ORF projected Heinz Fischer as the winner with about 53 per cent, against 47 per cent for Foreign Minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner.

Mr Fischer, 65, is a career Social Democratic parliamentarian dubbed a "grey mouse" by the Austrian press. He kept a narrow lead in most polls by stressing a commitment to the welfare state and to Austria's cherished neutrality.

"I want to contribute to policies of social balance and responsibility towards our neutrality," Mr Fischer said shortly before the vote.

Ms Ferrero-Waldner, 55, was nominated by Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel's conservatives and backed by Mr Haider, whose Freedom Party is junior partner in the two-party coalition government.