Alexander Van der Bellen was sworn in as President of Austria on Thursday, becoming the country’s first Head of State backed by an opposition party, which had never ruled the country before.
The former Green party chief took his oath of office in parliament having defeated far-right rival, Norbert Hofer, in the December run-off election with 53.8 per cent of the votes.
The election highlighted voters’ disenchantment with the two centrist parties that have formed a government coalition for the past decade – the Social Democrats and the conservative People’s Party.
Van der Bellen’s inauguration comes amid serious crises between the coalition partners, which have given rise to speculation about early elections.
Social Democratic Chancellor, Christian Kern, had issued a Friday ultimatum to conservative Vice Chancellor and Economic Minister, Reinhold Mitterlehner, to jointly work out elements of a reform programme to boost jobs, economic growth and education.
While Van der Bellen’s role as president is largely ceremonial, he will have to designate a new chancellor after the next elections.
The far-right Freedom Party leads in the most current polls, followed by the two government parties.
Van der Bellen succeeds the Social Democrat Heinz Fischer, who served as president for two terms.
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