Van der Bellen posted a message and video on Sunday afternoon announcing his re-election. “I am running again for the post of Federal President of the Republic of Austria,” he said, among other things. The last few years have been “very challenging for all of us”. The pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the climate crisis have brought turbulent times. “I would therefore like to continue to put my experience at the service of our country and, as far as I know and believe, contribute to ensuring that Austria has a good future.”
“The election will likely take place in the fall of this year. I think it is in the interests of all citizens that the election campaign in the autumn is short, fair, transparent and, above all, cost-effective. Until then, I will fully focus on my duties as federal president,” Van der Bellen continued.
“If you agree, I’d like to do my part to make sure the next few years are good for all of us. And I won’t rest until I’m sure we’re all on the right path together. Being there for our Austria with all my experience and life force. I can’t think of anything more significant,” said Van der Bellen.
Separation between office and electoral campaign
During the electoral campaign, he wanted to separate “exactly between the position of President of the Republic and my candidacy”. Therefore, no resources from the Presidential Office would be used for campaign purposes.
An associated press release stated that Van der Bellen, as the incumbent, was an independent federal president. The candidacy is organized by the independent association “Together by Van der Bellen – Independent Initiative for the Strengthening of Liberal Democracy”.
Dear Austrians and all who live here,
I am once again running for the post of Federal President of the Republic of Austria. 🇦🇹
(1/4)
— A. Van der Bellen (@vanderbellen) May 22, 2022
The candidate’s account
A few days ago, a TikTok video had circulated, featuring a new candidacy for Van der Bellen. An account called “The Candidate” posted professional footage of Van der Bellen, which may have come from the Hofburg itself. However, Van der Bellen’s team declined to acknowledge the authorship of the clip. However, Sunday’s new video was also put online by channels titled “The Candidate”.
Election date still open
The ÖVP and SPÖ had already stated that they would not be nominated if Van der Bellen ran again – as did the Greens, of which Van der Bellen was once a leader. Anyway, the FPÖ wants to send a candidate to the race. It is unclear who it will be. There is still no date for the Hofburg elections, this will be set by the federal government by decision of the Council of Ministers, after which it must be confirmed by the Main Committee of the National Council.
That was six years ago in mid-January – for the first election on April 24 and the second round on May 22. Since the Constitutional Court overturned the latter, Van der Bellen was only elected on December 4, 2016 and sworn in on January 26, 2017.
complicated deadline
This means that presidential elections are no longer held in the spring, as has been the norm since 1951, but in the fall. The election must be such that the inauguration by the Federal Assembly can take place on January 26, 2023. Based on the usual deadlines, this would be mid-November, but it could also be earlier. The 9th of October was also discussed. In any case, there should be enough time for a possible runoff four weeks after the first Sunday of the election.
Van der Bellen was elected to the post in the 2016 election marathon on December 4, 2016 with 53.79% – in the second round against FPÖ candidate Norbert Hofer. This year, he decided not to run again, but held on to the prospect of doing so in 2028.
Only Austrians who are at least 35 years old on election day can run for the Hofburg. As a rule, candidates were significantly older. The youngest federal presidents, Rudolf Kirchschläger and Thomas Klestil, took office at age 59. The oldest so far was Theodor Körner, aged 78. Alexander Van der Bellen will be 79 when he takes office.
Re-election is the rule
Under the Constitution, federal presidents can run for a second term after the first six years. Almost everyone was able to use it. Only one of the eight directly elected heads of state resigned: Kurt Waldheim in 1992, after the discussion about his Nazi past opened up big rifts in 1986. Körner died in the first term.
A total of 36 candidates have gone to the polls in the 13 direct elections so far, eight of them twice. With the exception of Körner and Waldheim, who died during their first term, all federal presidents (there were five) successfully ran for a second term. Waldheim had previously run for elections without success, and Heide Schmidt and Richard Lugner tried twice.