Austrian right wing strong in 1st round of presidential vote

VIENNA (AP) - The law-and-order candidate of Austria's right-wing party swept the first round of presidential elections on Sunday, gathering over 35 percent of the vote for the party's best ever result and leaving the other five candidates far behind. Among the losers were the government coalition candidates, reflecting deep voter rejection and political uncertainty ahead.

The triumph by Norbert Hofer eclipses his Freedom Party's best previous showing - more than 27 percent support in elections that decided Austria's membership in the European Union. With his declared willingness to challenge the governing coalition of center-left Social Democrats and centrist People's Party, Hofer might push for new elections should he win the May 22 runoff in hopes that his Freedom Party will triumph at the polls.

With 98 percent of ballots counted, Hofer was far ahead of Alexander Van der Bellen of the Greens party who ran as an independent. He polled just over 21 percent support and will challenge Hofer in the second round.

Independent Irmgard Griss came in third. At just under 20 percent she was still ahead of People's Party candidate Andreas Khol and Social Democrat Rudolf Hundstorfer, both hovering around 10 percent. Political outsider Richard Lugner was last, with just over 2 percent.

Freedom Party chief Heinz-Christian Strache hailed the "historic event" that he said reflected massive "voter dissatisfaction" with the traditional political landscape. Still, Van der Bellen remained in the running for the second round, with many of those who voted for other candidates likely to swing their support behind him in hopes he will defeat Hofer, and with it deal a blow to the Freedom Party

Hofer's triumph was significant nonetheless, and in line with recent polls showing Freedom Party popularity. Driven by concerns over Europe's migrant crisis, support for his party has surged to 32 percent compared with just over 20 percent for each of the governing parties.

But voters were unhappy with the Social Democrats and the People's Party even before the migrant crisis last year forced their coalition government to swing from open borders to tough asylum restrictions. Their bickering over key issues - most recently tax, pension and education reform - has fed perceptions of political stagnation.

Even while the mainstream parties digest their candidates' disastrous showing, a win by Hofer in the runoff could presage even more turbulent political waters ahead for them. As president, Hofer has threatened to dismiss the government coalition and call a new national election.

That would likely result in a Freedom Party victory and move Austria closer to the camp of anti-immigrant Eurosceptic EU nations, further complicating joint European Union attempts to solve the migrant crisis and other divisive issues.

An Austrian president has the powers to dismiss a government. But none has since the office was newly defined after World War II. Instead, the role has been traditionally ceremonial, with presidents rarely going beyond gentle criticism of the government. Trying to ease concerns that he would be too confrontational in office, Hofer told reporters that he would be "there for all Austrians." Still, he added "that does not mean that I reject my principles."

Political uncertainty may lie ahead, even if Hofer is defeated.

Van der Bellen has vowed not to swear in any Freedom Party politician as Austria's chancellor if he wins Sunday's vote. The next national election must be held within two years. The president has a six-year mandate.

That means possible confrontation between the Freedom Party and Van der Bellen, should he triumph.