Austria's election doesn't often have a major impact on the world.
However this year's race drew attention, as the far-right populist Norbert Hofer was expected to show how well other European nations' liberal candidates would fare against populism typified by the Brexit vote in the United Kingdom and Donald Trump in the U.S.
In this instance, Norbert Hofer conceded to the liberal Green party's Alexander Van der Bellen (pictured above). Hofer's campaign focused heavily on anti-immigration sentiments.
Hofer posted his concession on Facebook on Sunday.
You can win simply by saying anti-Muslim things.
While the votes are technically still being counted, Van der Bellen is projected to take 53.6 percent of the vote. But some are still skeptical that the sentiment Hofer espouses is not going away.
Germany, now Austria among Europe's remaining liberal voices.
— ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) December 4, 2016
Don't mention the war.
Many liberal critics saw this as a good sign.
Others thought the whole thing was overblown.
🆘‼️😠🔥 The new Austria ... finally again open borders for Islamists and other terrorists. pic.twitter.com/NaKzWct1h7
— Onlinemagazin (@OnlineMagazin) December 4, 2016
Others feared disaster.
It's 2016 and Austria & Germany are leading the fight to resist fascism. Captain America goes back to sleep.
— John Fugelsang (@JohnFugelsang) December 4, 2016
And some found the whole thing rather ironic.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
