Austrian President Thwarts Populist Challengers for New Term

  • Van der Bellen gets 55% of votes, preliminary results show
  • Green politician one of few stable points in Austrian politics
Alexander Van der Bellen on Oct. 9.Photographer: Heinz-Peter Bader/Getty Images
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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 received 54.6% support at Sunday’s vote, above the 50% mark needed to avoid a run-off.