Austria far-right candidate concedes defeat in presidential race

The candidate vying to become Europe's first freely elected far-right head of state since World War Two conceded defeat in Austria's presidential election soon after polls closed today.


The result is a blow to populists who had hoped a wave of anti-establishment anger sweeping Western democracies would carry Norbert Hofer to power after Britain's Brexit referendum and Americans' election of Donald Trump as president.

Mr Hofer, of the anti-immigration and anti-Islam Freedom Party (FPO), conceded he had been soundly beaten by former Greens leader Alexander Van der Bellen.

"I am infinitely sad that it didn't work out," Mr Hofer said in a posting on his Facebook page less than an hour after polls closed and the first projections were broadcast.
 [rte.ie]
4/12/16
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