The Austrian President, Heinz Fischer, has won a second six-year term in office in a landslide election, BBC reports Monday.

The veteran Social Democrat politician won nearly 79% of votes, according to official results.

The controversial far-right candidate Barbara Rosenkranz won 15% of the vote while Rudolf Gehring of the small Christian Party was third with 5.44%. The results are expected to change slightly after the count of the postal votes.

Turn-out was low by local standards at just under 49%, but in Austria the Presidency is a largely ceremonial post.

"I am extremely happy and thank the Austrian population for having so much confidence in me," Fischer said on national TV.

The runner-up, Barbara Rosenkranz, claims she and her family had been victims of a "witch hunt." She was never expected to win the election, but many Austrians were outraged at her nomination over her past criticism of Austria's anti-Nazi laws, saying they go against the freedom of speech.

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