Far-right Austrian candidate defeated in presidential polls

The Far-right candidate Norbert Hofer has lost Austria’s presidential election.

On Facebook, he described himself as “infinitely sad” and congratulated Alexander Van der Bellen, former head of the Greens, on his victory, the BBC wrote.

Although the post is ceremonial in Austria, the poll had been seen as a sign of how well populist candidates might do elsewhere in Europe, the BBC added.

According to the BBC, Mr Van der Bellen called the result a vote for a “pro-European” Austria based on “freedom, equality and solidarity”.

Established parties and European Union leaders are likely to welcome the result, the BBC indicated., saying the Austrian results surprised many.