Austrian presidential election

[Deleted]

So, the two candidates are closely matched.

Whom do you root for?

[PC2]

Hofer because he is with the Freedom Party and they are apparently against mass unskilled immigration.

[ranzino]

Most ppl here cannot even pinpoint Austria on a map, so dont expect useful comments. Some even would confuse Austria with Australia and wonder why "Downunder" has scheduled a presidential election.

[morpen]

I think Hofer because the Freedom Party is apparently against mass unskilled immigration.

You say that like it's a bad thing?

EDIT: I miss read, I understand now

OT: obviously Hofer

[Kalis]

Norbert has the funnier name, but Van der Bellen is only a 'd' away from taking that honour.

Is Austrian President an important position? Often these things are not, e.g. the German President.

[webzagar]

Most ppl here cannot even pinpoint Austria on a map, so dont expect useful comments. Some even would confuse Austria with Australia and wonder why "Downunder" has scheduled a presidential election.

So there aren't Kangaroos in central Europe?

[Puupi]

I only know three Austrian politicians (Haider, Hitler and Schwarzenegger) and only one of those is alive, so I guess Arnold should win!

[Belize]

So there aren't Kangaroos in central Europe?

You're right, there are no Kangaroos in Austria.

[PC2]

You say that like it's a bad thing?

I agree! I changed the wording.

The other guy Van der Bellen, I doubt he gives a damn about Austria.

[Independent voter]

An Austrian lady was blaming Trump saying he's set a bad example for other countries.

[nonameelf]

Most ppl here cannot even pinpoint Austria on a map, so dont expect useful comments. Some even would confuse Austria with Australia and wonder why "Downunder" has scheduled a presidential election.

It would be weird if Australia had a presidential election since they've been ruled by their emu overlords since they lost the great emu war.

[Blobfish]

An Austrian lady was blaming Trump saying he's set a bad example for other countries.

Any Right wing Party that does well these days has Trump associated with it.

Look at the New Philippines leader dubbed "The Trump of the East"
and this guy called Hofer of Austria called "the Trump of Europe"

Any way I hope Hofer wins ..He carries a Glock on him all the time..Nice gun too.

But it is close and the "Bernie Sanders of Europe" a Mr Van der Bellen of the Far left is now Neck & Neck.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36353200

[Deleted]

TBH I am torn. I consider myself as a Liberal but after the Anti-Nazi-Propaganda over the last year I can't say I don't hope, that the right wing wins. Maybe the left finally accepts, that you cannot insult people as nazis or stupid, censor them or shout them down and expect to win the next election.

So I didn't vote today. Because I cannot vote for either of them. Thing is - the president of austria does pretty much nothing anyways. So maybe - just maybe the media and political landscape finally wakes the fuck up and decides to actually bring something to the table other than just the propaganda BS we had over the last months alone.

[Blobfish]

It would be weird if Australia had a presidential election since they've been ruled by their emu overlords since they lost the great emu war.

Australian Election is coming up in July
Both leaders are uninteresting and boring.

I will probably vote Liberal (Conservative),and current Prime Minister Turnbull

Cannot trust the Labor Party (Socialists). They will send Australia broke.

I am more Interested in USA Election

[Puupi]

An Austrian lady was blaming Trump saying he's set a bad example for other countries.

I know one Austrian politician that has set quite a bad example for other countries as well.

[Deleted]

I know one Austrian politician that has set quite a bad example for other countries as well.

Too soon./10chars

[Renyo]

Norbert has the funnier name, but Van der Bellen is only a ' away from taking that honour.

Is Austrian President an important position? Often these things are not, e.g. the German President.

He can dismiss the whole government or the chancellor without any reason and no other institution can prevent that. Hofer himself said that he would use that if they don't act as he wants them to. He then could also choose a new chancellor, but the parliament could then just dismiss the new government.

Edit: Until now no president has used that right against the will of the government.

[Zarc]

Rooting for Alexander Van der Bellen. Not because I necessarily agree with his political positions on many issues, as a member of a left-wing Green Party. But I'd rake that any day over the guy representing a far-right populist eurosceptic immigrant bashing Front National associated political party. Also the latter seems set on making use of all powers he may have at his disposal as President to do whatever while the Green Party guy seems to intend to just follow the tradition of being a ceremonial head of state as is customary and so his election wouldn't really make much of a difference. Also I trust Van der Bellen to be a good guy.

[Deleted]

Probably it was austrias last free vote. See what Orban and Erdogan did to their countries.

Americans also should chose very carefully next vote.. based on the idea they probably want to be able to correct it.

[Kalis]

He can dismiss the whole government or the chancellor without any reason and no other institution can prevent that. Hofer himself said that he would use that if they don't act as he wants them to. He then could also choose a new chancellor, but the parliament could then just dismiss the new government.

Is that a power the President could actually use, or would it cause a constitutional crisis? Our Queen has that power, if she used it she would be our ex-Queen.