Austrian presidential election: Who is Norbert Hofer?

(CNN)He's the smiling, anti-refugee presidential candidate who was hoping to sweep into power in Sunday's Austrian election.

But Freedom Party candidate Norbert Hofer has instead conceded defeat after exit polls showed an apparent win for his rival, Green Party candidate Alexander Van der Bellen.

Pro-EU: Early in the campaign Hofer indicated support for a referendum on Austria's membership in the European Union, but he recently changed his tune. "Hofer is not interested in a British-style referendum on Austria leaving the EU," said Rathkolb. "That's because he knows from the polls that Austrians are not interested in following the British example." Anti-Turkey: "Hofer is not only against Turkey joining the EU, but also against Turks coming to Austria," said Rathkolb. "His references to Turkish passport blocks should be seen as part of a larger Freedom Party campaign against Turks and Muslims -- especially in the wake of large numbers of Syrian refugees traveling through Turkey in their attempt to reach Europe," he added.

What cost him the election? It's too early to tell what motivated voters,but Rathkolb believed mixed messages from Hofer could ultimately cost him the presidency. "If he's not elected it's because he changed his first round political appearance -showing himself as a tough man carrying a Glock pistol, and right now retreating on many issues," he said. "Trying to get votes from the middle and being as calm as possible may mean he struggles to mobilize his voters for a third time."

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Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/02/politics/austrian-election-norbert-hoferprofile/index.html