Why is today’s vote significant?

The two-party system which has held a grip on Austria since the Second World War looks set to be broken. For the first time since 1945 it seems almost certain an outside candidate will win the presidency.

How powerful is the Austrian president?

The presidency is largely a ceremonial role, but for it to be wrested from the traditional parties could be the start of a revolution in Austrian politics, and a sign of things to come in 2018’s general elections.

Who’s likely to win?

Norbert Hofer, an anti-immigrant gun enthusiast, and Alexander van der Bellen, a pro-refugee environmentalist, are neck-and-neck in the opinion polls. Imgard Griss, a former Supreme Court judge, is just behind them.

How did Austria get here?

The past year has been one of political turmoil in Austria. While its neighbour Germany has dominated the headlines, it has been hit just as hard by the migrant crisis.

Last year Werner Faymman, the Austrian chancellor, backed Angela Merkel’s “open-door” refugee policy. But as 90,000 asylum-seekers flooded in and public opposition rose, his government performed an extraordinary U-turn.

He closed Austria’s borders, imposed limits on the number of asylum-seekers, and led the international bid to shut off the “Balkan Route” and confine migrants in Greece.