Immigration dominates Vienna elections

Voters in the Austrian capital, Vienna, are electing a new city council after a strongly anti-immigrant campaign by the far-right Freedom Party.

The party, which caused an international outcry when it entered the national government, has covered the city with posters of its candidate for mayor, Helene Partik-Pable, and the statement: "Foreigners.

I understand the worries of the Viennese." Legal immigrants represent eighteen percent of the population.

The Social Democratic Party, which has run Vienna for more than a century, is expected to retain control of the city.

But correspondents say the Freedom Party is hoping for a revival in its fortunes, after its support slumped in two regional elections towards the end of last year.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service