Outgoing Chancellor Werner Faymann of Austria at a news conference last week in Vienna. (Heinz-Peter Bader/Reuters)

Austria’s chancellor resigned Monday, citing insufficient support within his party to deal with challenges facing the country, including the ongoing migrant crisis.

The surprise move by Werner Faymann followed a back-of-the-pack showing last month by his Social Democratic Party in the first round of the presidential election. The candidate representing the right-wing Freedom Party, which favors a harder line against migrants and refugees streaming into Europe, emerged at the top.

Faymann became chancellor in 2008 and was the European Union’s second-longest-serving national leader after German Chancellor Angela Merkel. He is among the highest-profile political casualties of a backlash against established parties and unease over the migrant issue in Europe.

[The stunning success of Austria’s anti-immigrant far-right, in one map]

His decision also could amplify debates inside Austria over border controls and other steps as the migrant flow potentially shifts from Aegean Sea crossings to routes across the Mediterranean to Italy — putting Austria among the countries next on the trail of those heading north.

The Austrian chancellor is the head of government, effectively the most powerful politician in the country. The president, who appoints the chancellor, has a mostly ceremonial role, with limited powers to intervene in parliament.

[Austrian officials say Europe, not smugglers, must decide which migrants make it]

In Vienna, Faymann said his decision was prompted by the question about “whether, in this difficult time . . . one has the full backing in one’s party.”

“I have to answer this with no,” he said.

Austria had recently adopted a tougher stance on migrants, including stricter controls of its external borders, such as plans for a fence along the Brenner Pass from Italy.

But some politicians, including leaders of the Freedom Party, have called for even tougher measures.

Austria’s ruling coalition has increasingly come under pressure for its refugee policy.

The Freedom Party’s presidential candidate, Norbert Hofer, received more than 35 percent of the vote in the first round last month, leading the pack. But Hofer missed the 50 percent threshold for outright victory. He will face former Green Party chairman Alexander Van der Bellen in a runoff on May 22.

“What we’re witnessing in Austria is a true wind of change,” said Peter Hajek, a political analyst based in Vienna. “The majority of people are fed up with the current system,” he said, opening greater room for right-wing groups and populists across Europe.

Vice Chancellor Reinhold Mitterlehner will take over as head of government until a new candidate is found.

Brian Murphy in Washington contributed to this report.

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