Independent candidate wins Austrian presidency, beating far-right foe

VIENNA, May 23 (UPI) -- Independent candidate Alexander Van der Bellen won Austria's presidential election, defeating far-right candidate Norbert Hofer.

Hofer, 45, conceded Monday to Van der Bellen, 72, the former Green Party chief, in a close vote.

Hofer had led 51.9 percent to 48.1 percent after voting of those in person on Sunday. But Van der Bellen won by 31,026 votes when ballots sent by mail were counted: 2,254,484 to 2,223,458. About 12 percent of the ballots were mailed in.

"Please don't be despondent," Hofer said on his Facebook page "The use for this campaign is not lost but an investment in the future."

Hofer was attempting to become Europe's first far-right candidate to become president since World War II.

It also was the first time since World War II that a candidate from either of Austria's mainstream parties will not serve in the largely ceremonial presidency -- left-leading Social Democrats and conservative People's Party. Those parties lost in the first round of voting last month.

President Heinz Fisher, a Social Democrat, is barred from running after two terms.

Hofer drew support from those opposing the European Union and fears of rising asylum seekers.

Van der Ballen was pro-European Union.