Austria election: Polls open as voters are tipped to shift right

Polls have opened in Austria where the nation is tipped to elect young anti-immigration Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz as it next leader.

Sebastian Kurz

Polls show the popularity of People's Party head Sebastian Kurz (pictured) has put his party ahead in Austria's elections. Source: AAP, AP

Polling places are opening in Austria, where voters will decide whether the country moves right after decades of centrist policies and the result could pave the way for Europe's youngest government leader.

Three parties are vying for first place in Sunday's national election - the Social Democrats (SPO), the People's Party (OVP) and the Freedom Party (FPO).

The centre-left Social Democrats have campaigned on reducing social inequality. The other two have focused on concerns about immigration and Islam.
Both the People's Party and the Freedom Party have called for securing Austria's borders and quickly deporting asylum-seekers whose requests are denied.

Polls show the popularity of People's Party head Sebastian Kurz has put his party ahead.

The 31-year-old KMr urz would become Europe's youngest leader if his party wins and he can form a government.

"We must stop illegal immigration to Austria because otherwise there will be no more order and security," Mr Kurz told tabloid daily Oesterreich on Friday night.

Campaigning has been dominated by the immigration issue.

Mr Kurz plans to cap benefit payments for refugees at well below the general level and bar other foreigners from receiving such payments until they have lived in the country for five years.

He says he wants to shake up Austrian politics, which for decades has been dominated by a coalition between his party and the Social Democrats.

Mr Kurz's opponents say he is merely a new face on an old party that has been in power in various coalitions for 30-straight years.

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