Vienna - Early official results of Austria's parliamentary elections on Sunday showed Austria's Social Democratic Party in the lead, but the real winners were two far-right parties which together won 29 per cent of the vote.

Social Democratic Party (SPOe) leader Werner Faymann was set to take over the chancellorship by winning 29.7 per cent, six per cent less than in the last elections in 2006.

In contrast to the governing parties' record low results, the far- right Freedom Party (FPOe) and Alliance for the Future of Austria (BZOe) won 18 per cent and 11 per cent of the ballots, respectively.

While the Freedom Party led by Heinz-Christian Strache gained seven per cent, Joerg Haider's Alliance more than doubled its votes, from 4.1 per cent in 2006.

Both parties won over voters by responding to voters' frustration about the political stalemate of the outgoing coalition, as well as to fears about inflation and negative feelings about the European Union.

But they also campaigned against immigrants and asylum seekers, often portraying them as criminals.

The centrist conservative People's Party (OeVP), the SPOe's junior partner in the so-called "grand coalition" that ended in July, came in second at 25.6 per cent, suffering massive losses of nine per cent.

SPOe and OeVP are not keen on another round of cooperation, but they might have few other options if they keep their promises not to govern with the far right.

"I cannot imagine a government with BZOe or FPOe," said social democratic leader Fayman, who also ruled out a minority government with the support of the extreme right in parliament.

Freedom Party leader Strache said Sunday that the Social Democrats should reconsider its "fetish for exclusion" of other parties.

"The grand coalition is dead. There must be a different solution," Haider said.

But the Social Democrats' options were unclear as conservative leader Molterer did not rule out an opposition role for his party after this "painful defeat."

The Green party collected 9.8 per cent of ballots, losing around one per cent compared with 2006.

At 1.9 per cent, the Liberal Forum did not manage to pass the 4- per-cent limit necessary to re-enter parliament.

The official final result will be announced on October 6, when ballots cast abroad and by mail will also be included. These additional votes are not expected to change the result in a significant way. (dpa)