Austrians began voting Sunday in a key presidential run-off which could usher in the European Union's first extreme rightwing leader amid the continent's worst migrant crisis since World War II, AFP reports.
The vote pits 45-year-old Norbert Hofer of the antiimmigration Freedom Party (FPOe) against the Greenbacked economics professor Alexander van der Bellen, 72.
A year of rising concerns about the migrant crisis and growing unemployment has left Austria deeply polarised and driven disgruntled voters away from traditional parties toward fringe groups.
In last month's first round, Hofer a gun enthusiast left partially disabled after a paragliding accident comfortably beat his rival by 35 percent to 21 percent.
Leaning on his trademark cane, the farright hopeful was confident of victory in his final public address on Friday.
European leaders including European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker have voiced concern at the turn of events in Austria.
"The prospect of seeing the farright win forces me to say that I don't like them," Juncker told French newspaper Le Monde on Friday.
"The Austrians don't like to hear this but I don't care: there is no debate or dialogue with the far-right."
For now, the criticism echoes through largely empty streets in Vienna, where antiHofer protest calls have failed to draw large crowds.
"People don't realise what it would mean to have Hofer as president," said 25yearold Conrad Neuwirth at a small rally outside the presidential office earlier this week.
Back in 2000, more than 150,000 people marched in the Austrian capital against the FPOe then led by the late, SSadmiring Joerg Haider after it entered a muchmaligned coalition with the OeVP.
The farright power grab also prompted international sanctions and turned Austria into an EU pariah. But times have changed, with support for populist parties surging across the continent.
Last month, Marine le Pen of France's Front National saluted Hofer's performance, saying it "was in line with history".
Van der Bellen, who has the backing of many public figures including new Chancellor Christian Kern, warned Hofer's presidency would pose a threat to democracy.
"As you know, I am 72 years old and I've experienced how Austria rose from the ruins of World War II, caused by the madness of nationalism," he said.
%MCEPASTEBIN%