1.
GV INT..MINISTRY OF INTERIOR
0.04

2.
CU RESULTS ON T.V. SCREEN PAN TO RESULTS BOARD
0.16

3.
CU VICE-CHANCELLOR PITTERMAN SPEAKS, SHAKES HANDS WITH CHANCELLOR KLAUS
0.35

4.
SV DEMONSTRATOR WAVE FLAGS
0.40

5.
GV BALCONY
0.44

6.
GV DR KLAUS SPEAKS TO CROWD
0.51

7.
SV PEOPLE WITH TORCHES
1.00

8.
GV BALCONY
1.04

9.
GV CROWD
1.07



Initials JRG/V/JH/ES



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: IN AUSTRIA, THE CONSERVATIVE PEOPLE'S PARTY WON AN ABSOLUTE MAJORITY IN YESTERDAY'S (SUNDAY'S) GENERAL ELECTION. FOR TWENTY YEARS, THE COUNTRY HAS BEEN RULED BY A COALITION OF THE PEOPLE'S PARTY AND THE SOCIALISTS.

THE LEADER OF THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY IS DR JOSEPH KLAUS, THE AUSTRIAN PRESIDENT. HE SAID ON TELEVISION AFTER THE ELECTION THAT A BIG THREAT HAD BEEN AVOIDED AS THE AUSTRIANS HAD MADE A CLEAR DECISION AGAINST THE SOCIALISTS AND THEIR ALLIANCE WITH THE COMMUNISTS.

THE CONSERVATIVES WON 85 OF THE 165 NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SEATS. THE SOCIALISTS HEADED BY VICE-CHANCELLOR PITTERMAN WON 74. THE ONLY OTHER PARTY TO GAIN SEATS, THE RIGHT-WING FREEDOM PARTY, TOOK SIX.

HITHERTO, THE CONSERVATIVE-SOCIALIST COALITION GOVERNMENT IN AUSTRIA WAS IN OFFICE FOR THE LONGEST PERIOD IN EUROPE. (BRITAIN GOES TO THE POLLS ON MARCH 31ST -- WITH THE CONSERVATIVES HOPING TO REGAIN POWER FROM MR HAROLD WILSON'S SOCIALIST GOVERNMENT.)