Heinz Fischer, a 66-year-old Social Democrat, took office as Austria's new president on Thursday.

While taking the oath before the houses of parliament, Fischer said he will carry out his duties "to the best of my ability" under the constitution and other Austrian laws.

Fischer was elected on April 25 as Austria's 8th president to head the country in the next six years, after gaining 52.41 percent of the votes.

Born in 1938, Fischer previously served as the vice-chairman of the Social Democratic Party of Austria and the president of the National Council, Austria's parliament.

Fischer's predecessor, Thomas Klestil, died of heart attack on Tuesday, just two days ahead of the termination of his second presidential term.