Austria Candidates from the centrist parties, which have effectively run Austria since the end of World War II, failed to even

It means that for the first time since 1945, Austria will not have a president in the Habsburg dynasty's former Vienna palace backed by Chancellor Werner Faymann's Social Democrats (SPOe) or his centre-right coalition partners the People's Party (OeVP).

Austria's government was licking its wounds Monday after the anti-immigration far-right triumphed in a presidential vote, a debacle of historic proportions for a cosy political establishment seen as out of touch and ineffectual.

The result was a further sign that the appeal of mainstream politicians in Europe -- and in the United States with Donald Trump -- is waning as populist figures tap into anger about immigration and growing inequality.

According to preliminary results, Norbert Hofer of the Freedom Party (FPOe) came a clear first with 36 percent in Sunday's first round of an election for the largely -- but not entirely -- ceremonial post of head of state.

Candidates from the centrist parties, which have effectively run Austria since the end of World War II, failed to even make it into the runoff on May 22, languishing in fourth and fifth place with just 11 percent each.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/austrian-government-shock-far-triumphs-075042...