Austrian far-right party sweeps first round of presidential election

The anti-immigration Freedom Party (FPÖ) secured victory in the first round of presidential elections in Austria held on the 24 April 2016. Norbert Hofer of the FPÖ won 35.3% of the votes in a landmark win for the party.

A second round of voting will take place on the 22 May 2016 between Norbert Hofer and Alexander van der Bellen, an independent candidate endorsed by the Greens.

Candidates from the two governing coalition parties — the Social Democrats (SPÖ) and centre-right coalition partners the People’s Party (ÖVP) failed to make the run-off.

• Primary Source

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EUObserver, 25.04.16: Austria’s far-right wins first round of presidential vote https://euobserver.com/political/133194

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EurActiv, 02.05.16: Austrian Social Democrat PM Faymann booed on May Day http://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/austrian-social-democrat-pm-faymann-booed-on-may-day/

Politico, 04.05.16: The Green gamble to contain Austria’s far right http://www.politico.eu/article/green-gamble-contain-far-right-austria-freedom-party-norbert-hofer-alexander-van-der-bellen/

Spiegel Online International, 02.05.16: [Opinion]: The Austrian Malady: Turning Right in the Refugee Crisis http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/right-wing-populists-in-austria-aim-for-the-presidency-a-1090051.html

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Politico, 19.05.16: Austrians jilt their political party duopoly and the EU http://www.politico.eu/article/austria-political-upheaval-not-just-flirting-with-far-right-werner-faymann-norbert-hofer-fpo/

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