Austrian far-right presidential candidate resumes campaign trail

The far-right Austrian presidential candidate, who sent shockwaves across Europe when he placed first in Sunday's election, on Tuesday announced he is back on the campaign trail ahead of the runoff election on May 22.

Norbert Hofer of the Freedom Party, who has taken 35.05 percent of the vote following the finalized addition of postal votes, said at a press conference following a party meeting that after spending Monday with family he is once again "highly motivated" and that "from today it starts again."

He noted that he intends to "continue on the exact same path" in the lead-up to the final poll in which he is pitted against former Greens party head Alexander Van der Bellen.

Sunday's vote by the public was made on the basis of his stance on various issues, and as such no new strategy will be adopted, he said.

His primary stances include his wish to expand direct democracy, which he said Van der Bellen is against, as well as his opposition to the proposed TTIP trade agreement with the United States. He is also in favor of increasing the budget of the Austrian Armed Forces to 1 percent of GDP.

Regarding the refugee crisis, he said only about 20 percent of the persons concerned are genuine refugees, who are also "passing through many safe countries," and as such a quick asylum procedure is required.

He is also not happy with border controls at the Brenner Pass to Italy, currently a hot topic of debate between the two countries, Hofer said, adding that "we have no other options."

Given the perceived large gap in political views between the former Greens leader and that of his own given his own party's background, he said he does not want people to believe there must be disunion, and said he would aim to be a "good president for all Austrians."

Source: XINHUA