One of the world’s few green party heads of state is poised to win a second term as president of Austria after abandoning Russian sympathies to take a firm line on the war in Ukraine.
Alexander Van der Bellen, 78, is the heavy favourite to win a second six-year term when voting booths close on Sunday. An array of insurgent candidates saw their challenges fizzle out and he has campaigned as a pillar of stability in troubled times.
Mr Van der Bellen has hopes this grandfatherly image will produce victory with a November run-off.
“If things go well, I’m going to get more votes than all six of my competitors combined,” he said. “If I don’t get my wish, well, then I’ll just win four weeks later. I don’t want that. I want to win this Sunday.”
His main rival, Freedom Party candidate Walter Rosenkranz, was so flat in a final debate that one pundit said he would never have guessed Mr Rosenkranz was a right-wing populist.
As unrest grows over high energy prices linked to the war in Ukraine, Mr Van der Bellen said in a recent state-of-the-nation speech that Russian President Vladimir Putin was “attacking our way of life”.
The drive to save energy has led to Vienna’s Christmas markets being shortened this year and thrown the opening of a popular ice rink into doubt.
Mr Van der Bellen has taken the opportunity to push his party’s environmental agenda, calling for more renewable energy and green hydrogen to replace Russian gas.
But he invited criticism by saying Austrians should “grit their teeth” and ride out the crisis, with opponents saying the president did not understand the problems of ordinary people.
His strident tone towards Russia since it invaded Ukraine on February 24 marks a change compared to some of Mr Van der Bellen’s earlier rhetoric.
In a 2015 book, he said “irresponsible talk” of Ukraine joining Nato was partly to blame for Russia’s annexation of Crimea, echoing a prime Kremlin grievance.
As president, he hosted Mr Putin in Vienna in 2018. They opened an exhibition of Russian art that was sponsored by gas company Gazprom that was described by Mr Van der Bellen as a symbol of friendship with Moscow.
“This exhibition can teach us to understand that Russia is a part of Europe,” said Mr Van der Bellen, whose parents were Russian and Estonian exiles who fled the Soviet Union.
Like many European presidents, Mr Van der Bellen does not make day-to-day decisions but oversees the political process and is seen as a moral spokesman for his country.
Since February, he has changed his tune by condemning the Russian invasion, describing the massacres in Bucha as crimes against humanity and insisting that sanctions against Russia are working.
This year’s race has had none of the drama of six years ago, when Mr Van der Bellen beat pistol-carrying far-right candidate Norbert Hofer in a knife-edge contest that went to three rounds after judges annulled the result of a run-off.
Some pundits have bemoaned a lack of focus on issues such as crime and migration. Days before the election, Chancellor Karl Nehammer struck a deal with Hungary and Serbia to limit asylum claims from South-Eastern Europe.
One of the minor candidates, Gerald Grosz, tells voters that a repeat of the 2015 refugee crisis is on the cards and that he would use the president’s powers to sack Mr Nehammer’s government.
Activists on the left meanwhile staged a symbolic poll for people without Austrian passports to make their voices heard.
Voters in the “no-matter-what-passport” election queued up to cast ballots as a horse and cart went past in Vienna.
Selim Aslan, a former university professor who has lived in Austria for 35 years, felt excluded after his passport application was denied on the grounds that he had too many research stints abroad on his CV.
“I personally feel closely attached to Austria and would love to be able to help decide the fate of this country,” said Dr Aslan, originally from Turkey, in a message of support for the ballot.
The far-right Mr Rosenkranz is campaigning on a message of “taking back our freedom”, as his party calls for sanctions against Russia to be put to a referendum.
But his demands that all remaining coronavirus restrictions must go and that neutral Austria should pursue peace talks instead of sanctions have failed to put much of a dent in Mr Van der Bellen’s poll lead.
Dominik Wlazny, a satirical candidate and punk rock singer who goes by the stage name Marco Pogo, is third in the polls but likewise failed to inspire on television.
Mr Wlazny was “too well behaved” and acted like a “model student” in the final debate, said pollster Wolfgang Bachmaier on a late-night talk show.
Tom Fletcher on 'soft power'
FIXTURES
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Saturday
Fiorentina v Torino (8pm)
Hellas Verona v Roma (10.45pm)
Sunday
Parma v Napoli (2.30pm)
Genoa v Crotone (5pm)
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Monday
AC Milan v Bologna (10.45om)
Playing September 30
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Lazio v Atalanta (10.45pm)
Profile of MoneyFellows
Founder: Ahmed Wadi
Launched: 2016
Employees: 76
Financing stage: Series A ($4 million)
Investors: Partech, Sawari Ventures, 500 Startups, Dubai Angel Investors, Phoenician Fund
Despacito's dominance in numbers
Released: 2017
Peak chart position: No.1 in more than 47 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Lebanon
Views: 5.3 billion on YouTube
Sales: With 10 million downloads in the US, Despacito became the first Latin single to receive Diamond sales certification
Streams: 1.3 billion combined audio and video by the end of 2017, making it the biggest digital hit of the year.
Awards: 17, including Record of the Year at last year’s prestigious Latin Grammy Awards, as well as five Billboard Music Awards
RACE CARD
6.30pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group 1 (PA) Dh119,373 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm Handicap (TB) Dh102,500 (D) 1,200m
7.40pm Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (Turf) 1,800m
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How Sputnik V works
The years Ramadan fell in May
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
RESULTS
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Winner RB Frynchh Dude, Pat Cosgrave (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
7.05pm Al Bastakiya Trial – Conditions (TB) $50,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner El Patriota, Vagner Leal, Antonio Cintra
7.40pm Zabeel Turf – Listed (TB) $88,000 (Turf) 2,000m
Winner Ya Hayati, Mickael Barzalona, Charlie Appleby
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Winner Althiqa, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby
8.50pm UAE 1000 Guineas – Listed (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Soft Whisper, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
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Winner Bedouin’s Story, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
Army of the Dead
Director: Zack Snyder
Stars: Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Omari Hardwick, Ana de la Reguera
Three stars
The currency conundrum
Russ Mould, investment director at online trading platform AJ Bell, says almost every major currency has challenges right now. “The US has a huge budget deficit, the euro faces political friction and poor growth, sterling is bogged down by Brexit, China’s renminbi is hit by debt fears while slowing Chinese growth is hurting commodity exporters like Australia and Canada.”
Most countries now actively want a weak currency to make their exports more competitive. “China seems happy to let the renminbi drift lower, the Swiss are still running quantitative easing at full tilt and central bankers everywhere are actively talking down their currencies or offering only limited support," says Mr Mould.
This is a race to the bottom, and everybody wants to be a winner.
heading
Iran has sent five planeloads of food to Qatar, which is suffering shortages amid a regional blockade.
A number of nations, including Iran's major rival Saudi Arabia, last week cut ties with Qatar, accusing it of funding terrorism, charges it denies.
The land border with Saudi Arabia, through which 40% of Qatar's food comes, has been closed.
Meanwhile, mediators Kuwait said that Qatar was ready to listen to the "qualms" of its neighbours.
What is hepatitis?
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, which can lead to fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis or liver cancer.
There are 5 main hepatitis viruses, referred to as types A, B, C, D and E.
Hepatitis C is mostly transmitted through exposure to infective blood. This can occur through blood transfusions, contaminated injections during medical procedures, and through injecting drugs. Sexual transmission is also possible, but is much less common.
People infected with hepatitis C experience few or no symptoms, meaning they can live with the virus for years without being diagnosed. This delay in treatment can increase the risk of significant liver damage.
There are an estimated 170 million carriers of Hepatitis C around the world.
The virus causes approximately 399,000 fatalities each year worldwide, according to WHO.
'Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore'
Rating: 3/5
Directed by: David Yates
Starring: Mads Mikkelson, Eddie Redmayne, Ezra Miller, Jude Law
What is Reform?
Reform is a right-wing, populist party led by Nigel Farage, a former MEP who won a seat in the House of Commons last year at his eighth attempt and a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.
It was founded in 2018 and originally called the Brexit Party.
Many of its members previously belonged to UKIP or the mainstream Conservatives.
After Brexit took place, the party focused on the reformation of British democracy.
Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson became its first MP after defecting in March 2024.
The party gained support from Elon Musk, and had hoped the tech billionaire would make a £100m donation. However, Mr Musk changed his mind and called for Mr Farage to step down as leader in a row involving the US tycoon's support for far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson who is in prison for contempt of court.
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 650hp at 6,750rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,500-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 11.12L/100km
Price: From Dh796,600
On sale: now
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
Match info
Bournemouth 0
Liverpool 4 (Salah 25', 48', 76', Cook 68' OG)
Man of the match: Andrew Robertson (Liverpool)
Analysis
Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
About Housecall
Date started: July 2020
Founders: Omar and Humaid Alzaabi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech
# of staff: 10
Funding to date: Self-funded
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirectors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Aaron%20Horvath%20and%20Michael%20Jelenic%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Chris%20Pratt%2C%20Anya%20Taylor-Joy%2C%20Charlie%20Day%2C%20Jack%20Black%2C%20Seth%20Rogen%20and%20Keegan-Michael%20Key%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
A new relationship with the old country
Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates
The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty Friendship; Have agreed as follows:
ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.
ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage education, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges.
ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relationship already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.
ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty.
DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.
Signed
Geoffrey Arthur Sheikh Zayed
