Austria far-right 'narrowly loses poll, electing Van der Bellen president'
Independent candidate Alexander Van der Bellen has won Austria's presidential election, preventing Norbert Hofer from becoming the EU's first far-right head of state, the BBC has been told.
Mr Hofer led narrowly after Sunday's election but postal votes counted on Monday gave Mr Van der Bellen victory.
Mr Van der Bellen campaigned on a pro-EU platform, backed by the Green Party.
Mr Hofer, of the Freedom Party, had tapped into anti-EU sentiment and fears about rising numbers of asylum seekers.
The official result is expected to be announced shortly.
Sharp divisions
Mr Hofer had led Mr Van der Bellen by 51.9% to 48.1%, the interior ministry said, after counting on Sunday.
But the 750,000 postal votes - roughly 12% of Austria's 6.4 million registered voters - swayed the result.
The presidency is largely a ceremonial post.
But the president does have the power to dissolve the National Council - the more powerful lower house of parliament - and so trigger a general election.
Sunday's election highlighted sharp divisions in Austrian society.
Mr Van der Bellen came top in nine out of Austria's 10 main cities, while Mr Hofer dominated rural areas.
Alexander Van der Bellen
- Age: 72
- Background: Economics professor
- Politics: Former Green Party leader
- Campaign soundbite: "I've experienced how Austria rose from the ruins of World War Two, caused by the madness of nationalism."
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They haven't technically announced it yet bc Innsbruck fucked up and needs to recount (afraid of Strache I guess :P), but Hofer already conceded on Facebook.