[Iran Press TV] Austria's independent candidate Alexander Van der Bellen has narrowly defeated far-right rival Norbert Hofer in the country’s presidential runoff.
The 72-year-old Van der Bellen, a former economics professor, won over 45-year-old Hofer, from Freedom Party (FPOe), by 50.3 percent to 49.7 percent, said Interior Minister Wolfgang Sobotka during an official announcement in the capital Vienna, adding that "a difference of 31,026 votes," clinched victory for Van der Bellen.
"Very few people thought I could catch up. But in the last 14 days, there has been such a momentum among voters -- musicians, actors, workers, totally different people across all generations, professions and all sections of society," Van der Bellen, who had campaigned on a pro-EU platform backed by the Greens Party, said late on Sunday.
Hofer conceded defeat in the knife-edge runoff and said in his Facebook account: "Of course I am sad. I would have loved to have looked after this wonderful country for you as president."
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