Far-right wins first round in Austrian election

  • 25/04/2016
Norbert Hofer poses for a photograph with his wife (Getty)
Norbert Hofer poses for a photograph with his wife (Getty)

A far-right Austrian leader has taken out the first round of voting in the country's presidential elections.

Norbert Hofer of the Freedom Party won 36.7 percent of the vote. He'll face Green-backed independent Alexander Van der Bellen in the May run-off.

For the first time since World War II neither of the candidates from the main two parties have made it to the final round of voting.

Mr Hofer ran on an anti-immigration and anti-Europe platform.

Turnout was 70 percent, high by recent standards in Austria.

The winner will replace Social Democrat Heinz Fischer, who has served the maximum two terms allowed.

Austria's President largely serves a ceremonial role as head of state, with the Chancellor holding most of the power.

Newshub.