- Title: Austria's far-right presidential hopeful inspired by Trump victory
- Date: 17th November 2016
- Summary: VIENNA, AUSTRIA (NOVEMBER 16, 2016) (REUTERS) PARLIAMENT BUILDING, VENUE OF INTERVIEW WITH AUSTRIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE NORBERT HOFER (SOUNDBITE) (German) AUSTRIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE NORBERT HOFER, SAYING: "Whenever the elites distance themselves from voters, those elites will be voted out of the office. It is not even a question of [political] right or left, but rather how close the contact is and whether one is ready to implement things to actually alleviate existing concerns." REPORTERS TALKING WITH HOFER (SOUNDBITE) (German) AUSTRIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE NORBERT HOFER, SAYING: "I am very relieved, and I hope it will remain so, that improved relations between Russia and the USA are being outlined. It is of great importance for peace in the world, how these two countries understand each other. We owe both countries a lot because of Austrian history and that is why we have special interest for peace here. It is why I'd very much be in favour of lifting the sanctions against Russia." REPORTERS TALKING WITH HOFER (SOUNDBITE) (German) AUSTRIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE NORBERT HOFER, SAYING: "The European Union - and who is the European Union - that is us, the member countries - made the big mistake of not complying with our own agreements, of not taking itself seriously any more, The convergence criteria were violated and - well, nobody cared. We know the consequences." HOFER'S HANDS (SOUNDBITE) (German) AUSTRIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE NORBERT HOFER, SAYING: "When you realize that a contract is not working, then a new contract must be forged and it has to be upheld." HOFER'S HANDS (SOUNDBITE) (German) AUSTRIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE NORBERT HOFER, SAYING: "I hope that there will be something like a wake-up call, as they say we've seen. We made big mistakes, we went so far we lost one of our most important member states, Great Britain. Now we have to do better. That is what I trust and that is what I hope for." HOFER'S HANDS (SOUNDBITE) (German) AUSTRIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE NORBERT HOFER, SAYING: "There are these concerns, naturally, but chances are still greater that this Union will reinvent itself than that it will break apart. But we will know more within some years because these years will be decisive." HOFER LAUGHING, AS REFLECTED ON GLASS TABLE SURFACE
- Embargoed: 2nd December 2016 12:04
- Keywords: Austria election Hofer Trump European Union
- Location: VIENNA, AUSTRIA
- City: VIENNA, AUSTRIA
- Country: Austria
- Topics: Government/Politics,Elections/Voting
- Reuters ID: LVA00158U2893
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Austria's far-right presidential candidate Norbert Hofer said Wednesday (November 16) Donald Trump's U.S. victory was proof that he is on the right track with his populist election campaign.
"Wherever the elites distance themselves from voters those elites will be voted out of office," the Freedom Party's presidential hopeful said in an interview with Reuters.
Like the U.S. president-elect, 45-year-old Hofer sees himself as a nationalist who recognises the concerns of ordinary people who have been ignored by a political establishment.
"It is not even a question of [political] right or left, but rather how close the contact is and whether one is ready to implement things to actually alleviate existing concerns" Hofer said.
Trump's triumph and Britons' vote in June to quit the European Union have unleashed a populist tsunami that could transform Europe's political landscape.
Austria's presidential run-off on Dec. 4, expected to be a close call, could make Hofer the European Union's first far-right head of state. More elections with far-fight candidates in the frame are set for the Netherlands, France and Germany next year.
Hofer lost a run-off in May by a mere 31,000 votes against former Greens Party leader Alexander Van der Bellen but got a new chance when the constitutional court annulled the result due to counting irregularities.
Asked about Trump's promise to improve relations with Russia and European sanctions against Russia, Hofer said he was "relieved" and "very much in favour" of the sanctions being lifted, echoing calls from Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz from the conservative Peoples' Party (OVP).
"We owe both countries a lot because of the Austrian history and that is why we have special interest for peace here. It is why I'd very much be in favour of lifting the sanctions against Russia," he said.
Although he voted against Austria's joining the EU in 1994, Hofer has backed off from previous calls for an "Oexit" - an Austrian exit from the EU - after the British decision in June to leave the bloc led to increased fears and uncertainty.
Export-dependent Austria has long been closely committed to the EU: two-thirds voted to join in 1994. Around 70 percent would vote for 'remain' after the Brexit decision, according to a survey by polling institute SORA in July. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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