Far right candidate wins first round in Austria’s presidential vote

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region—Norbert Hofer, of the right wing Freedom Party, won 36% of the vote in the first round of Austria’s presidential elections on Sunday.

The position of president is largely a ceremonial role in Austrian politics but Hofer’s success indicates a fatigue among voters for the Social Democratic Party and the centrist Austrian People’s Party who have governed Austria for decades, and a swing to the right that is happening across Europe. Voters are unhappy with the economy and concerned about immigration.

Hungary and Poland have recently elected authoritarian governments and rightwing parties are gaining ground in many countries, including France and Finland.

The Freedom Party runs on an anti-immigrant and Eurosceptic platform. 

Hofer himself carries a gun, which he claims is for protection in the “uncertain times” brought about by last year’s refugee crisis. He polled highest in regions of Austria most affected by the refugees who streamed across the continent last summer.

Hofer and the Green party’s Alexander Van der Bellen, who came second in Sunday’s vote, will face off in a run-off vote on May 22.

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via Defense News