Austrian legislative election, 1999

Austria

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Parliamentary elections were held in Austria on 3 October 1999. Although the Social Democratic Party remained the largest party in the National Council, a coalition government was formed by the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) and the Austrian People's Party‎ (ÖVP) after several months of negotiations. Although the FPÖ had received the most votes, ÖVP leader Wolfgang Schüssel became Chancellor rather than controversial FPÖ leader Jörg Haider. Haider, who had also been elected Landeshauptmann of Carinthia, was not appointed to the cabinet and resigned as party leader. However, foreign governments remained critical of the FPÖ's inclusion in the government and the fourteen other members of the European Union imposed sanctions on the country, whilst domestically the government faced protests organised by the SPÖ and Greens. However, this pressure on the government helped stablise it and when it became clear that the FPÖ was not a threat to the country's democracy, sanctions were lifted.

Voter turnout was 80.4%.

Results

Party	Votes	%	Seats	+/–
Social Democratic Party	1,532,448	33.2	65	–6
Freedom Party of Austria	1,244,087	26.9	52	+11
Austrian People's Party‎	1,243,672	26.9	52	0
Green Alternative	342,260	7.4	14	+5
Liberal Forum	168,612	3.6	0	–10
The Independents	46,943	1.0	0	New
Communist Party of Austria	22,016	0.5	0	0
No - Civic Action Group against the sale of Austria	19,286	0.4	0	0
Christian Electoral Community	3,030	0.1	0	New
Invalid/blank votes	72,871	–	–	–
Total	4,695,225	100	183	0
Source: Nohlen & Stöver