Outcome of Austria’s Presidential Election Hinges on Postal Ballots

EU | May 23, 2016, Monday // 10:28|  views

Norbert Hofer (R) of far-right Freedom Party and Independent candidate Alexander Van der Bellen (L), supported by the Green Party, attend a TV interview on the Austrian presidential run-off in Vienna, 22 May 2016. EPA/BGNES

The outcome of Sunday’s presidential elections in Austria looks is set to be determined by the postal votes which are still being counted on Monday morning.

With all direct ballots tallied, right-winger Norbert Hofer from the populist Freedom Party is the frontrunner with 51.9% of the vote, according to data from Austria’s interior ministry.

Former Green Party leader Alexander Van der Bellen running as an independent has won 48.1%.  

However, final projections that include 740,000 postal ballots that were cast put each at 50%, according to the public broadcaster ORF.

Voter turnout was 71.8%, up on the first round of the presidential election last month.

If Hofer keeps his lead after votes by post are included, it will be the first case of a far-right head of state elected in the European Union since the end of World War Two.

 

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!


Tags: Austria, elections, Hofer, vote, postal ballots, Van der Bellen

Back  

» Related Articles:

Search

Search