Austrian far-right leader quits, leaving succession open


  • World
  • Wednesday, 02 Jun 2021

FILE PHOTO: Head of Freedom Party (FPOe) Norbert Hofer addresses the media in Vienna, Austria October 15, 2019. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

VIENNA (Reuters) - The leader of Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPO) Norbert Hofer stepped down on Tuesday but pointedly did not back his high-profile deputy and rival Herbert Kickl to succeed him.

Hofer, widely seen as the most likeable face of the anti-Islam and anti-immigration party that crashed out of government amid scandal two years ago, came close to winning Austria's presidential election in 2016 only to lose a re-run.

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