Hofer

The Austrian government will demand clearance from the EU Commission to curb access of poor EU members' nationals to its labour market, mostly targeting those from Eastern Europe, local media report.

Those who believe in the idea of a united Europe, the so-called pro-Europeans, were left with mixed feelings following the results of a referendum in Italy and a repeat presidential election in Austria. While the "No" victory was expected in Italy, few could imagine such a big difference between the two camps.

BELGRADE - In a long and hard-fought election battle which dragged on months longer than normal, and which drew significant international interest, the far-right candidate, Norbert Hofer, appears to have lost his bid to be president, according to exit polls.

Austrian voters roundly rejected on Dec. 4 a candidate vying to become the first freely elected far-right head of state in Europe since World War Two, halting at least temporarily the wave of populism sweeping Western democracies. 

Austria's far-right presidential candidate was soundly defeated on Dec. 4, confounding forecasts of a tight election in which he would ride a wave of populism sweeping the West.

Austria’s far-right Freedom Party presidential candidate, Norbert Hofer, conceded defeat minutes after poll projections were released, dashing his hopes of becoming the European Union’s first democratically elected far-right president since WWII.

BELGRADE - Norbert Hofer, Third President of the National Council of Austria, noted in Belgrade Tuesday that Austria should support Serbia on the EU path and help it to overcome potential vetoes.

Norbert Hofer, Third President of the National Council of Austria, says his country should support Serbia on the EU path.

Austria should also help Serbia overcome potential vetoes, he said in Belgrade on Tuesday.

FPO party's candidate in Austrian presidential elections, Norbert Hofer, will arrive here on Tuesday for a two-day visit.

However, the FPO vice-president will be in Belgrade in his role as a high-ranking Austrian parliamentary official, and will meet with Serbian National Assembly President Maja Gojkovic.

The two candidates in Austria's presidential elections are running neck and neck in the second round of the vote held on Sunday.

Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) candidate Norbert Hofer and former Green Party leader Alexander van der Bellen are both supported by around 50% of voters, according to a public TV projection cited by daily Der Standard.