REUTERS/EPA Freedom Party leader Heinz Christian Strache and candidate Norbert Hofer celebrate the result

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Norbert Hofer, the candidate for Austria's right-wing Freedom Party (FPÖ), won 36.4 per cent of the vote, and will face an independent candidate in the final vote next month. It was the Freedom Party's best result in a national election and comes after a campaign that focused on the impact of the migrant crisis. More than 100,000 refugees have arrived in Austria since last summer. The migrant crisis has divided the country and, in a major U-turn, the government, who initially backed German chancellor Angela Merkel’s open-door policy, shut Austria’s borders. FPÖ leader Heinz-Christian Strache said: "This is the beginning of a new political era. Today political history is being written in Austria."

“One thing has become clear here - a huge and massive dissatisfaction with the government... I am convinced that as president, Norbert Hofer, will act as protector of the Austrian people.” Hofer, who has run an anti-immigrant and anti-Europe campaign will now go head-to-head with environmentalist and pro-refugee Alexander van der Bellen on May 22 for the president post, which is largely a ceremonial role. The result, if confirmed in the next round, means that for the first time since 1945, Austria will not have a president backed by either the left leaning SPÖ or the conservative ÖVP. Concerns have been raised if Hofer is elected he could push to bring forward a parliamentary election due to take place in 2018 as support for his party has surged in the wake of the migrant crisis. Hofer’s success marks the first time that neither of the main ruling parties have been in the running for the presidency since the Second World War.

The annoyed voted for Norbert Hofer Political analyst Peter Filzmaier

Pro-gun Hofer, who has been seen carrying his Glock pistol on the campaign trail, has repeatedly criticised the Austrian government’s “soft” handling of the migrant crisis. Gun ownership has been on the rise in Austria, a trend Hofer has branded a natural reaction to the migrant crisis. Hofer, who carried a Glock pistol on the campaign trail, said: "The rise in Austrian gun ownership is a natural reaction to the migrant crisis. In uncertain times, people try to protect themselves." As the Freedom Party celebrated the win, critics were quick to label the victory a protest vote.

AFP GETTY The Freedom Party celebrated its best election result

EPA The far-right party focused on the impact of the migrant crisis during its election campaign

Political analyst Peter Filzmaier said: "Only those who are satisfied vote for a government party or its candidate. “This time, the annoyed voted for Norbert Hofer." Wolfgang Bachmayer from OGM market research said the result was “a resounding slap in the face" for the government coalition formed by the left-wing Socialist Democratic Party of Austria and right-wing Austrian People’s Party. Showing the far right's growing confidence in Europe, Marine Le Pen, leader of France's National Front, hailed a "beautiful result", writing on Twitter: "Bravo to the Austrian people".

AFP GETTY Alexander van der Bellen will face Norbert Hofer in the run-off on May 22

The election saw around 70 per cent of eligible voters go to the polls, compared to a turnout of 50 per cent six years ago when Social Democrat Heinz Fischer was elected for his second term. Peter McDonald, general secretary of co-ruling People's Party acknowledged the scale of the defeat after coming in fifth in the poll with just 11.2 per cent of the vote. He said: ”We have experienced a landslide that should give the entire political centre food for thought.” The social democratic Chancellor Werner Faymann, whose party ranked fourth, said the outcome was a clear warning to the government to work harder and cooperate better. Political analyst Peter Hajek said: "Like elsewhere in Europe, we are witnessing the downfall of the traditional parties.”

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