Austrian president-elect acknowledges need for unity, cooperation

Alexander Van der Bellen addresses the media after winning Austrian presidential election in Vienna, Austria, May 23, 2016.?[Photo/Agencies]

VIENNA - Austria's president-elect Alexander Van der Bellen acknowledged Monday that the country needs unity more than ever at a time of increasing signs of social division.

Speaking to the media at the Palais Schoenburg in Vienna, Van der Bellen said he was grateful for the trust of voters and he will be a nonpartisan president for all Austrians.

The polarizing nature of the election, which pitched himself against far-right Freedom Party candidate Norbert Hofer, had made it clear there are differences of opinions in the Austrian society, Van der Bellen said.

Some of the differences have existed for a long time, but the Austrian society failed to pay enough attention, he added.

Van der Bellen also said he had "personal respect" for Hofer, and praised him for a very "engaged electoral campaign."

In the neck-and-neck race, Van der Bellen got 50.3 percent of the ballot, only 31,026 votes more than those of Hofer's.

Regarding the almost 50-50 split in the election, Van der Bellen noted that "each half is just as important as the other" and that "together we create this wonderful Austria."

The upcoming Austrian president also said he will suspend his membership of the Greens party as he prepares to take over the presidency on July 8.