Austrian President Heinz Fischer announced on November 23 that he is seeking a second term, making him the first politician to announce his candidacy for the election next April. Since he took office in 2004, the Social Democratic incumbent has chosen not to overstep the largely ceremonial role of his post, and media and experts predict that he has a strong chance of being reelected. This is one of the reasons why the rival centre-right People’s Party said it had yet to decide whether to field its own candidate. Fischer said in a video message that he had received encouragement from people of different political factions to take on another six- year term. And so I concluded to appeal for their support at the presidential election, as a candidate who stands above the political parties, he said. SPO Chancellor Werner Faymann said he was happy about Heinz Fischer’s decision. Faymann called the president a reliable reference person, also in delicate and controversial issues. The Chancellor said Fischer’s popularity among people would confirm his excellent work. Fischer an SPO MP for more than 30 years won 52.39 percent of the vote to beat the OVP candidate Benita Ferrero-Waldner in April 2004. If Fischer wins the upcoming election, it would be his final term in office as presidents are barred from staying in office for a third term in Austria.