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Austria could elect EU's first far-right president as country heads to the polls Austria could elect EU's first far-right president as country heads to the polls
(about 1 hour later)
Austria could elect its first far-right head of state since World War Two today. Austria is on the verge of electing a divisive far-right politican who is anti-immigrant as its head of state.
Norbert Hofer, of the right-wing Freedom Party, is vying with independent candidate Alexander Van der Bellen, backed by the Greens, to become the country’s next president.Norbert Hofer, of the right-wing Freedom Party, is vying with independent candidate Alexander Van der Bellen, backed by the Greens, to become the country’s next president.
Candidates supported by the dominant Social Democratic party and centrist People’s Party – the two ruling parties in Austria’s coalition government – were eliminated in the first round of voting last month.Candidates supported by the dominant Social Democratic party and centrist People’s Party – the two ruling parties in Austria’s coalition government – were eliminated in the first round of voting last month.
The choice faced by voters in today's poll reflects growing disillusionment with how the government has responded to the migrant crisis, which has seen support for the far right in the country grow. The choice faced by Austrians in today's poll reflects growing disillusionment with the government's reponse to the migrant crisis, which has seen support for the far right grow.
Addressing supporters at his final election rally in Vienna on Friday, Mr Hofer, 45, said: “Those people who respect and love Austria have found a new home here are warmly welcome. A win for Mr Hofer would be a seismic shift in European politics and would see him become the first far-right politician to be elected as a head of state on the continent since the Second World War. 
Indeed, former Freedom Party leader Joerg Haider once praised Adolf Hitler's employment policies as “orderly”. 
And Mr Hofer himself has run his election campaign on a pro-gun manifesto, carrying his Glock pistol around, and declaring that the public arming themselves would be a logical reaction to the influx of refugees into the country.
Addressing supporters at his final election rally in Vienna on Friday, the 45-year-old said: “Those people who respect and love Austria have found a new home here are warmly welcome.
“But those, it has to be said, those who do not value our country, who fight for Islamic State, or who rape women, I say to these people: this is not your homeland. You cannot stay in Austria.”“But those, it has to be said, those who do not value our country, who fight for Islamic State, or who rape women, I say to these people: this is not your homeland. You cannot stay in Austria.”
At his last rally, Mr Van der Bellen, 72, said he was for “an open, Europe-friendly, Europe-conscious Austria”.At his last rally, Mr Van der Bellen, 72, said he was for “an open, Europe-friendly, Europe-conscious Austria”.
Austria took in 90,000 asylum seekers last year, but has since clamped down on immigration and asylum.Austria took in 90,000 asylum seekers last year, but has since clamped down on immigration and asylum.
The presidents of the European Commission and the European Parliament, Jean-Claude Juncker and Martin Schulz, have both reportedly expressed their concerns about what a win for Mr Hofer today could mean.The presidents of the European Commission and the European Parliament, Jean-Claude Juncker and Martin Schulz, have both reportedly expressed their concerns about what a win for Mr Hofer today could mean.
Although the role is largely ceremonial, the Austrian president swears-in the chancellor, is commander-in-chief of the military, and has the power to dismiss the cabinet – something Mr Hofer has already threatened to do if he is elected. Although the role is largely ceremonial, the Austrian president swears in the chancellor, is commander-in-chief of the military, and has the power to dismiss the cabinet – something Mr Hofer has already threatened to do if he is elected.
The Freedom Party candidate unexpectedly won the first round of the election, winning 35 per cent of the vote, while Mr Van der Belle won 21 per cent. The Freedom Party candidate unexpectedly won the first round of the election, winning 35 per cent of the vote, while Mr Van der Bellen won 21 per cent.
Opinion polls have said the final result is too close to call.Opinion polls have said the final result is too close to call.
The result is expected to be announced at 7pm.The result is expected to be announced at 7pm.
Additional reporting by AP and Reuters