Hofer sees no trace of politics in election result -- asks fans to respect it

Norbert Hofer and H-C Strache enter the press conference room on Tuesday, May 24. Hofer made clear he would not run for Chancellor himself but would support Strache's bid "with all his personality."

In a news conference today, presidential candidate Norbert Hofer and FPÖ party leader Heinz-Christian Strache made statements and took questions. They offered that there would be no protest of the close election result, but Strache said they had received a lot of letters [of complaints] and would follow up on them. “Only then can you tell if there is some truth” about irregularities so many are reporting.

Strache also called for a new electoral system with a restriction on the absentee ballot.

But Hofer said he could see no trace of “politics” interfering anywhere in the country and requested that Austrians respect the election results. Despite the outcome, he didn't regret his candidacy in any way and called the election campaign an "incredibly positive experience." Hofer asked the Austrians not to argue because of the close election result. He was against violent actions by citizens, "but we should all stick together," he said. He hoped "that calm returns".

He naturally congratulated his rival and wished him well because, as he pointed out, while it is difficult to lose, it is also difficult to win with only a few votes ... referring to Van der Bellen receiving only 50.3% of the vote, the closest in Austrian history.

In response to the international press, Hofer stated once again that the FPÖ is not a far right party – if it were, they would have achieved “maybe two percent – only the fool share in Austria.” We are a center-right party with great responsibility," therefore it was possible to reach almost 50 percent of the vote. He also made clear that he will not seek to become Chancellor but will run "with my whole personality" at the next general election on the list behind Strache, with the aim of "the FPÖ reaching more than a third of the vote." The Freedom Party wants to finally take responsibility for Austria, he said.

Hofer's personality is incredibly engaging, more so than any politician in Europe I would say. He wrote on his Facebook page, under a picture of him with his sleeping gray cat,” these encouraging words to his followers:

Cheer up dear friends. Austria needs your help! I will stay true to you! (Ich bleibe Euch treu!)

That cheered me up very much.

Heinz-Christian Strache said the election marks the "beginning of a new democratic political era" and has made the FPÖ "stronger than ever." He said the Party had on Sunday experienced “a day of joy, with deep gratitude for the incredible confidence and the incredible support for Norbert Hofer." The voter's choice had been "moving, inspiring and touching.” Hofer had "reached people's hearts,” he was "honest and credible from the outset." He had "missed the goal only by millimeters,” even though the prevailing mood had been set against him.

The response of half of the Austrians was a binding contract, he said. A vote for the FPÖ was "not a lost voice". One can now say you "had not yet reached the end of the ceiling" (referring to the idea that there is a "ceiling" of support for parties on the right at around 20%). The election was a "clear rejection of the government's policy" – it began a "new political era" in that it has "made history". The FPÖ is now "stronger than ever” – the path chosen eleven years ago will continue, said Strache.