#Austria: Professor Van der Bellen victory over far-right candidate Norbert Hofer

The European Green Party and the European Socialists warmly congratulate Professor Alexander Van der Bellen (pictured) for his election as president of Austria. Socialists backed the Green candidate in the 2nd round of voting, as he represented an open, inclusive, modern, tolerant and pro-European Austria.

Commenting on the election of Alexander Van der Bellen as Austrian president, Greens/EFA co-president Philippe Lamberts said:

"We warmly congratulate Alexander Van der Bellen on his election as president of Austria, who won with a message of hope against a competitor riding a wave of fear. It is a momentous day for the Greens in Austria and Europe; however, the rise of populism and nationalism across Europe should worry every democrat across our continent. Business as usual can no longer be an option for Europe's policymakers, who need to bring Europe back to its project of peace through the extension of democracy and shared prosperity."

Greens/EFA co-president Rebecca Harms said:

"Clearly, it is not an easy moment for him to assume office. The tight result is indicative of a divided country and a major task for the new president will be to find a way out of this polarisation towards a liberal, open and European Austria. Alexander Van der Bellen has clear credentials to deliver this and to help contribute to a forward-looking European Union."

PES President Sergei Stanishev said: “I am very happy about the election of Van der Bellen and I am extremely relieved that his contender Norbert Hofer lost. We and the leadership of our Austrian member party SPÖ, just as thousands of social democratic grassroots activists, supported Van der Bellen in the 2nd round against the candidate of the extreme right. Because, no matter how polished his public image is, any candidate of the extreme right is unacceptable for us.”

“This has been a close call. It shows that people are profoundly unhappy with the way Europe is dealing with the crises of these last years. We will have to fight for tolerance, diversity and an economy that doesn’t lose sight of the people. This is a wake-up call for Europe,” Stanishev added.

The PES believes that progressive parties have to fight back the rise of populism and nationalism and that Europe must do more for people to improve their living standards and must provide them with a more stable, safer and fairer perspective for the future. Standing firmly for our values – freedom, democracy, equality and solidarity – is the way to win back the trust of EU citizens.

Party of European Socialists (PES)

S&D Group: Relief over Van der Bellen but radical reforms needed in Europe

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