VIENNA (AP) – Austria's president was expected to easily win a second term in elections Sunday to ward off a challenge from a far-right politician who has criticized the country's anti-Nazi law.

Polls predict a clear win for incumbent Heinz Fischer, a Social Democrat, with Barbara Rosenkranz from the anti-foreigner and anti-European Union Freedom Party coming in a distant second. Rudolf Gehring of the tiny Austrian Christian Party is expected to bring up the rear in the running for the largely ceremonial post.
Local media reported that turnout was sluggish during the first half of the warm and sunny day, with fewer people casting ballots than during the last elections on April 25, 2004. Around 6.4 million Austrians aged 16 and older are eligible to vote.
Fischer, 71, is known for his caution and diplomacy. He served as science minister and held various leadership positions in his party and in parliament before winning the presidency six years ago.
Rosenkranz, in contrast, has caused controversy for suggesting that Austria's law banning the glorification of the Nazis is not in line with the country's constitution and hinders freedom of expression.
While she recently formally declared support for the law after pressure from the publisher of the country's most widely read newspaper, her candidacy remains controversial. She also came under fire recently for a vague response to a question about Nazi gas chambers, but has since clearly acknowledged their existence.
The 51-year-old mother of 10, whose husband was part of a far-right political party that was banned for being too radical, said her comments on the country's anti-Nazi law were misinterpreted by her critics and the media.
Analysts say Rosenkranz's candidacy was initially meant as a test run for local elections in the Austrian capital this fall but backfired amid negative publicity. Even Freedom Party chief Heinz-Christian Strache — who wants to become the mayor of Vienna — distanced himself from her after predicting early on that she could net as much as 35 percent of the vote.
Photo:Austrian President Heinz Fischer reacts after seeing the first exit polls on television in the presidential office in Vienna, April 25, 2010. (Reuters photo)
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