Austria votes in run-off between far-right and independent
Austrians have begun voting in a presidential run-off poll that could elect the European Union΄s first far-right leader.
Norbert Hofer, of the Freedom Party, faces independent Alexander Van der Bellen, backed by the Greens.
Mr Hofer topped the first vote but fell well short of an outright majority. The run-off is expected to be close.
For the first time since World War Two, both the main centrist parties were knocked out in the first round.
The migrant crisis has become the key issue.
Ninety-thousand people claimed asylum in Austria last year, equivalent to about 1% of the Austrian population, and the Freedom Party has run a campaign against immigration.
While the presidency is a largely ceremonial post, the president has powers to dismiss the government - something Mr Hofer has already threatened to do.
And a Hofer victory could be the springboard for Freedom Party success in the next parliamentary elections, scheduled for 2018.
Austria is faced with a stark choice for its head of state: a Green Party professor, Alexander Van der Bellen, or Norbert Hofer of the far-right Freedom Party - a soft-spoken, charismatic gun enthusiast who won a decisive victory in the first round of voting in April.
For the first time since the Second World War, the traditional parties of the centre left and centre right were knocked out of the race.
Support for the Freedom Party has risen because of deep frustration with the established parties and, more recently, because of fears about the migrant crisis.
Right-wing parties are gaining strength in a number of EU countries. European leaders will be watching the result closely.
Polls opened at 07:00 (05:00 GMT) and close at 17:00, with projected results expected shortly afterwards.
However, postal ballots, which could be crucial if the result is close, will only be tallied on Monday.
In the first round, Mr Hofer, 45, secured 35% of the votes, while Mr Van der Belle polled 21%.
Source: bbc.com
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