Fischer was sworn in on 8 July 2004 and took over office from the college of presidents of the National Council, who had acted for the president following Klestil's death on 6 July.
Fischer asumiu o posto de presidente o 8 de xullo de 2004 e recibiu o cargo do presidente do parlamento, que goberna interinamente despois da morte de Klestil o 6 de xullo.