Norbert Hofer of the anti-immigration Freedom Party (FPO) lost the May 22 vote to former Greens leader Alexander Van der Bellen by less than 1%, that is nearly 31.000 votes, with postal ballots having tipped the balance in Van der Bellen's favor.
 
The country’s constitutional court said it was using its strict standard on the application of election rules. Witnesses have told it of irregularities in the way the count was carried out, including the processing of postal ballots sooner than they should have been.
 
Initially, Mr. Hofer called on his supporters to accept the results of May’s election, but then the FPO made a U-turn and filed the complaint over voting irregularities which led to Friday’s ruling. Mr Hofer’s supporters hope this ruling means he can seize the presidency after all.
 
Even though the Freedom Party does not present as a priority the exit of the European Union, it is calling for reforms which could bring the bloc in a very awkward position, threatening to hold an “Auxit” referendum. The FPO wants to completely end EU control over immigration policy and return powers to national parliaments – in other words its agenda is much the same as the British Leave campaign’s.
 
The far right Freedom Party is leading in the polls ahead of general elections due in 2018, and Mr. Hofer has said he will use the full powers of the presidency if elected – including the right to dismiss the government and call elections earlier than expected.
 
The court’s decision regarding the repetition of the election will send shockwaves through EU governments already gasping to figure out a plan regarding Brexit.