Haider-backed candidate defeated in Austrian election

A senior parliamentary official today defeated a candidate backed by right-wing populist Joerg Haider in a presidential election that showed voter dissatisfaction with the country’s government.

With nearly 100% of the votes counted, Heinz Fischer, the candidate of the opposition Social Democrats, had more than 53%. Foreign Minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the conservative endorsed by Mr Haider, had just under 48%.

Inadvertently, Mr Haider's endorsement of Ms Ferrero-Waldner appeared to help 65-year-old Mr Fischer. Maria Vassilakou of the Green party said it "obviously mobilised Green voters" to back the Social Democratic victor.