The Left goes nuts over election outcome in Austria, clings to it as sign of 'hope'

Jacob B. | 1:56 PM on December 04, 2016

BREAKING: First official results in Austria: Left-leaning candidate takes unbeatable lead in presidential election.

— The Associated Press (@AP) December 4, 2016

All of a sudden Austrian politics is front page news for U.S. outlets.

Far right candidate concedes presidential race in Austria https://t.co/x6HFGLO4yh

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) December 4, 2016

Right-wing candidate Norbert Hofer concedes Austria's presidential election to left-leaning rival. https://t.co/5KiDikfJ0i

— The Associated Press (@AP) December 4, 2016

Norbert Hofer used "Austria First!" and aimed to be the 1st far-right head of state elected in Europe since WWII https://t.co/TrE1RUsaGA

— The New York Times (@nytimes) December 4, 2016

Had the outcome been reversed, the story would certainly have been buried. At any rate, Leftists are exhilarated over the outcome of an election … in Austria.

Breaking: Austria's center-left candidate wins presidential race, a victory for European integration supporters https://t.co/J4U6JBAMdG

— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) December 4, 2016

Center-left candidate Alexander Van der Bellen beat back a challenge from a right-wing populist opponent to become Austria’s next president, exit polls and early results in the country’s second-round presidential election on Sunday showed.

Mr. Van der Bellen, 72 years old, led his opponent Norbert Hofer by 53.6% to 46.4% of the vote, according to Austrian television projections based on exit polls and early results. Mr. Hofer congratulated Mr. Van der Bellen on his victory in a Facebook post and called on all Austrians to “stick together and work together.”