The far-right, anti-immigration candidate running for Austria’s presidency conceded defeat Monday following the nation’s razor-thin run-off election.
Norbert Hofer, a member of the populist Freedom Party, led his opponent Sunday evening by popular vote, but mail-in ballots handed victory to economist and former Green Party head Alexander Van der Bellen.
"Of course I am sad today. I would so gladly for you have taken care for our wonderful country for you as president," Hofer wrote on Facebook. "But please don't be disheartened. The effort in this election campaign is not wasted, but is an investment for the future."
Hofer ran on an anti-European Union platform that tapped into fears about the growing number of refugees seeking asylum in the West. His loss blocked him from rising as the E.U.’s first far-right head of state.
While Austria’s president plays largely a ceremonial role, Business Insider reported that Hofer had promised to extend his executive authority. Likened to the GOP’s presumptive nominee Donald Trump, Hofer kept a glock on his hip and contended that Austria’s spike in gun ownership was a "natural consequence" of immigration.
He vowed to put "Austria First" by deporting Muslims while curbing additional migration into Austria.
Data from Austria’s Ministry of Interior states released Sunday evening showed Hofer ahead of Van der Bellen by 51.9 percent versus 48.1 percent. The race shifted in favor of Van der Bellen after the 750,000 mail-in ballots were counted Monday.
Manual workers and those living in rural areas overwhelmingly backed Hofer’s presidential bid. Those with a university degree and individuals living in cities tended to support Van der Bellen.