Left-winger wins Austrian presidency

A Social Democrat has won the Austrian presidency over a conservative backed by right-wing firebrand Joerg Haider, giving a leftist the post of Austrian head of state for the first time in 18 years.

Deputy Parliament Speaker Heinz Fischer, the candidate of the main Opposition party, won more than 53 per cent of the votes cast, outpolling Foreign Minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the conservative endorsed by Haider, by more than 5 per cent.

But turnout of just over 70 per cent - the lowest ever for Austrian presidential elections - reflected widespread voter sentiment that the presidency is relatively unimportant in a political system where the Chancellor makes most important decisions.