Vienna - A day after the coalition between the Social Democrats and the conservative People's Party broke apart, Austrian political parties agreed Tuesday to hold early general elections on September 28.

After the 2006 elections, social democrats and conservatives emerged as the only two parties with a stable majority in parliament. Their coalition was fraught with dissent from the start.

On Monday, conservative Vice Chancellor Wilhelm Molterer called for early elections after a series of policy disagreements on issues such as the EU and health reform.

Social democratic Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer will not run for head of government again. Instead, Transport Minister Werner Faymann will lead his party to the vote.

Others preparing their election campaigns include the right-wing Freedom Party and the Green party. The small Alliance for the Future of Austria, with their former leader Joerg Haider, will have to struggle to get the necessary votes for re-entering parliament.

The election date is set to be formally approved by parliament on Wednesday. (dpa)