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Austria far-right candidate Norbert Hofer defeated in presidential poll | Austria far-right candidate Norbert Hofer defeated in presidential poll |
(35 minutes later) | |
Far-right candidate Norbert Hofer has lost Austria's presidential election. | Far-right candidate Norbert Hofer has lost Austria's presidential election. |
On Facebook, he described himself as "infinitely sad" and congratulated Alexander Van der Bellen, former head of the Greens, on his victory. | On Facebook, he described himself as "infinitely sad" and congratulated Alexander Van der Bellen, former head of the Greens, on his victory. |
The elections had been seen as a sign of how well populist candidates might do in upcoming elections in the EU, though the post is ceremonial. | The elections had been seen as a sign of how well populist candidates might do in upcoming elections in the EU, though the post is ceremonial. |
The result is sure to be welcomed by establishment parties and officials in the EU. | The result is sure to be welcomed by establishment parties and officials in the EU. |
France, the Netherlands and Germany all face elections next year in which anti-mainstream and anti-immigration parties are gaining ground. | France, the Netherlands and Germany all face elections next year in which anti-mainstream and anti-immigration parties are gaining ground. |
A referendum under way in Italy is being closely followed for further signs of anti-establishment populism, with polls suggesting a setback for centre-left Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. | |
'Too close' | |
But the Austrian results surprised many. | |
Opinion polls in the run-up to Sunday's vote suggested the result was too close to call. | |
Projections based on early results now give Mr Van der Bellen roughly 53% to 46% for Mr Hofer. The margin could change, but officials said the result would not. | |
The election was a re-run of May's poll which suffered irregularities in the postal vote. Mr Van der Bellen also won in May. | |
Mr Hofer, the candidate for the anti-immigration Freedom Party, conceded within minutes of the first projections in this rerun. | |
He thanked supporters and described himself as "infinitely sad that it hasn't worked out". | |
He called on all Austrians to work together, "regardless of how we cast our ballots". | |
Mr Hofer had campaigned on an anti-immigration platform amid disquiet in Austria at an influx of refugees. Establishment parties feared a victory for him could give a boost to the Freedom Party in the next parliamentary election. | |
He had also suggested Austria could follow Britain's vote to leave the EU with a referendum of its own but later appeared to row back, suggesting changing the bloc into a purely economic association. | He had also suggested Austria could follow Britain's vote to leave the EU with a referendum of its own but later appeared to row back, suggesting changing the bloc into a purely economic association. |
Full official results are not expected until Monday once postal ballots have been counted. | |
Profiles | |
Alexander Van der Bellen | |
Norbert Hofer |