AUSTRIA 'REJECTS FAR-RIGHT PRESIDENT, ELECTING VAN DER BELLEN'

Independent candidate Alexander Van der Bellen has won Austria's presidential election, preventing Norbert Hofer from becoming the EU's first far-right head of state.

Mr Hofer led narrowly after Sunday's election but postal votes counted on Monday gave Mr Van der Bellen victory.

Mr Van der Bellen campaigned on a pro-EU platform, backed by the Green Party.

Mr Hofer, of the Freedom Party, had tapped into anti-EU sentiment and fears about rising numbers of asylum seekers.

Sharp divisions

Mr Hofer had led Mr Van der Bellen by 51.9% to 48.1%, the interior ministry said, after counting on Sunday.

But the 750,000 postal votes - roughly 12% of Austria's 6.4 million registered voters - swayed the result.

The presidency is largely a ceremonial post.

But the president does have the power to dissolve the National Council - the more powerful lower house of parliament - and so trigger a general election.

Sunday's election highlighted sharp divisions in Austrian society.

Mr Van der Bellen came top in nine out of Austria's 10 main cities, while Mr Hofer dominated rural areas.