REUTERS/EPA Austrian Freedom Party candidate Norbert Hofer is leading the first election poll

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Eurosceptic Norbert Hofer has been given another chance to become the first far-right head of state in the EU after losing out in May by just 31,000 votes. According to early opinion polls Mr Hofer has a four per cent lead over main rival Alexander Van der Bellen. Mr Hofer received the support of 52 per cent of respondents to a Gallup poll and Mr Van der Bellen got 48 per cent.

Eurosceptic Norbert Hofer has been given another chance to become the first far-right head of state in the EU

The poll was carried out on behalf of Austrian tabloid Oesterreich. Pro-European former Green Party leader Mr Van der Bellen, 72, controversially won the presidency with 50.3 per cent of the votes. Following an investigation into voter fraud and irregularities at some of the counts and an appeal by Mr Hofer’s party, a re-election has been called for October 2.

BLOOMBERG Mr Hofer has been given another chance to become the first far-right head of state in the EU

Support for Mr Hofer, 45, and the Freedom Party has surged in the wake of the migrant crisis. More than 100,000 refugees have arrived in Austria since last summer. The migrant crisis 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.

BLOOMBERG Green Alexander Van der Bellen controversially won the May election with 50.3 per cent of the vote

Mr Hofer has already raised the prospect of Austria holding a referendum on EU membership in the wake of Brexit. He previously warned a referendum on Austria’s membership of the European Union (EU) could be held within a year. Despite the Austrian presidency being a largely ceremonial role the outcome has been seen as hugely symbolic with the surge of the far-right buoyed by anti-refugee and anti-Europe sentiment.

It’s thought the spate of terror attacks across Europe in recent weeks could tip the balance in the Austrian Freedom Party’s favour. The editor of newspaper NZZ, Michael Fleischhacker said the victory of the far-right candidate is all but assured in the wake of terrorist attacks that have caused a new political climate. Mr Fleischhacker argues the recent terror attacks and failed military coup in Turkey have raised many questions for the Green Party and Mr Van der Bellen, which they cannot answer.

Migrant crisis: Key locations before and after Tue, April 4, 2017 In these composite images, a comparison has been made between a scene at a key location during the height of the 2015 migrant crisis last year and the view there now Play slideshow Getty Images 1 of 10 Aid workers help migrants up the shore after making the crossing from Turkey to the Greek island of Lesbos on November 16, 2015 in Sikaminias, Greece