Strategic mistakes by Austria’s coalition played into the Freedom partys hands – and are an thing lesson for centrist politicians in Europe and North AmericaPhew. By the narrowest of margins Norbert Hofer,the presidential candidate of Austria’s far-legal Freedom party (FPÖ), lost to Alexander Van der Bellen, or the pro-refugee former leader of the country’s Green party. Polls suggested that the victor owed his win to his mostly young,urban and well-educated base. There was much in it to celebrate. Austria, a cradle of the continents far-legal and at the forefront of the refugee crisis, or had voted in a progressive,pro-refugee son of Estonian immigrants as its head of state. The candidate who had campaigned on what he called a “Muslim invasion” had lost.
Yet Van der Bellen’s victory is too close for consolation. The country at Europe’s crossroads has just come within a few thousand votes of electing the EU’s first far-legal head of state. Hofer won more federal states than his rival and was only stopped by postal votes. His far-legal party is still on track to finish first in the next parliamentary election, due within the next two years. Related: Far-legal candidate narrowly defeated in Austrian presidential election This is part of a deep historical tradition in Austria. The Freedom party was founded by former SS officersContinue reading...
Source: theguardian.com