VIENNA, Oct. 11 (UPI) -- The far-right Freedom Party made inroads in Vienna elections that heated up over anti-immigration issues, initial returns indicate.
Incumbent Social Democrat Mayor Michael Haeupl lost his absolute majority after the Freedom Party experienced a surge in voting Sunday, the Financial Times reported.
The Social Democrats Party won 44.2 percent of the vote, nearly 5 percentage points less than in the 2005 city elections. The Freedom Party captured 27.2 percent of the tally, up more than 12 percentage points from 2005, election officials said.
Analysts said a coalition between the two parties is doubtful with Haeupl seen as more likely favoring the conservative Austrian People's Party.
The mayor said the result was "regrettable," the Times said.
For decades, Vienna has been called "Red Vienna," a reference to the city's generous social programs and housing, as well as the Social Democrats' electoral hold on the city.
Nationally, Freedom Party leaders have played on fears of crime and immigration.
