Austrian vote a 'good omen for Europe': German minister
AFP/The Local - [email protected]
Published: 5 Dec, 2016 CET.
Updated: Mon 5 Dec 2016 08:57 CET
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Sunday said that the far-right defeat in Austria's presidential election was "a good omen" for Europe.
"If the first results are confirmed this will be a good omen against populism in Europe," Steinmeier, who is to become Germany's next president, told a news conference with his Greek counterpart Nikos Kotzias in Athens.
Austria's Norbert Hofer conceded defeat on Sunday in his bid to become Europe's first far-right president, as projections showed he was lagging behind Greens-backed independent Alexander Van der Bellen in a bitterly fought election re-run.
"In this particular situation Europe is facing, we are urgently in need of good news," Steinmeier said earlier during a meeting with Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos, referring to "the Brexit decision" and to "mounting pressure by populist and nationalist forces".
The election revealed deep rifts in Austrian society. Opinion polls from November showed the election was always too close to call, with the turnout on a cold December day likely being a deciding factor.
Comments
See Also
"If the first results are confirmed this will be a good omen against populism in Europe," Steinmeier, who is to become Germany's next president, told a news conference with his Greek counterpart Nikos Kotzias in Athens.
Austria's Norbert Hofer conceded defeat on Sunday in his bid to become Europe's first far-right president, as projections showed he was lagging behind Greens-backed independent Alexander Van der Bellen in a bitterly fought election re-run.
"In this particular situation Europe is facing, we are urgently in need of good news," Steinmeier said earlier during a meeting with Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos, referring to "the Brexit decision" and to "mounting pressure by populist and nationalist forces".
The election revealed deep rifts in Austrian society. Opinion polls from November showed the election was always too close to call, with the turnout on a cold December day likely being a deciding factor.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.