Norbert Hofer steps down as leader of Austria’s far-right Freedom Party

The leader of Austria’s far-right Freedom Party (FPO) Norbert Hofer quit on Tuesday but  did not directly support his high-profile deputy and contender Herbert Kickl to supersede him, reported Reuters.

Hofer is largely seen as the most popular face of the anti-Islam and anti-immigration party that stormed out of government in a scandal two years back, came close to emerging victorious in Austria’s presidential election in 2016 and also lost a re-run.

He took charge as leader from Heinz-Christian Strache after a video sting scandal in 2019 compelled Strache to step down as Austrian vice chancellor and led to a coalition government headed by conservative Sebastian Kurz, who presently governs with the Greens.

Hofer claimed in a statement by the party, “In the past months it has been possible to stabilise the party again and bring it close to the 20% mark in opinion polls. I have thus set up the party so that it can be successful in the coming years as well. My own journey at the head of the FPO, however, ends today.”