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[[File:Norbert Hofer.jpg|thumb|300px|Norbert Hofer (center)]]
[[File:Norbert Hofer.jpg|thumb|300px|Norbert Hofer (center)]]
'''Norbert Hofer''' (born March 2, 1971) is a conservative and [[Euroskeptic]] [[Austria]]n politician and a member of the [[Freedom Party of Austria]] (FPÖ). He is most famous for his unsuccessful campaign for Austrian president in 2016, a very close race, and for being the Third President of the National Council (one of three members).
'''Norbert Hofer''' (born March 2, 1971) is a conservative and [[Euroskeptic]] [[Austria]]n politician and a member of the [[Freedom Party of Austria]] (FPÖ). He is most famous for his unsuccessful campaign for Austrian president in 2016, a very close race. He also serves as the Austrian minister for infrastructure and was the Third President of the National Council (one of three members).
==Early life==
==Early life==
Hofer was born on March 2, 1971 in Vorau in eastern Austria.<ref name="Parliament">[https://www.parlament.gv.at/ENGL/WWER/NR/Hofer/index.shtml Ing. Norbert Hofer - Third President of the National Council]. ''Republic of Austria - Parliament''. Retrieved December 20, 2016.</ref> He completed secondary engineering school in 1990 with a specialization in aeronautics.<ref name="Parliament"/> After serving his legally mandated military service, in 1990-91, Hofer served as an aeronautical engineer for Austrian Airlines from 1991-94.<ref name="Parliament"/>
Hofer was born on March 2, 1971, in Vorau in eastern Austria.<ref name="Parliament">[https://www.parlament.gv.at/ENGL/WWER/NR/Hofer/index.shtml Ing. Norbert Hofer - Third President of the National Council]. ''Republic of Austria - Parliament''. Retrieved December 20, 2016.</ref> He completed secondary engineering school in 1990 with a specialization in aeronautics.<ref name="Parliament"/> After serving his legally mandated military service, in 1990-91, Hofer served as an aeronautical engineer for Austrian Airlines from 1991-94.<ref name="Parliament"/>
==Early political career==
==Early political career==
==2016 Austrian presidential election==
==2016 Austrian presidential election==
[[File:Austrian presidential election 2016 round 1.png|thumb|300|Results of the first round of the 2016 Austrian presidential election, where the FPÖ (blue) received its best election result at the time (although it was surpassed in the two runoff elections).]]
[[File:Austrian presidential election 2016 round 1.png|thumb|300|Results of the first round of the 2016 Austrian presidential election, where the FPÖ (blue) received its best election result at the time (although it was surpassed in the two runoff elections).]]
Hofer ran for President of Austria (a largely ceremonial role) in 2016. In the first round of the election, Hofer received 35.1 percent of the vote, which at the time was the FPÖ's best result in a national election in its history.<ref>Troianovski, Anton (April 25, 2016). [http://www.wsj.com/articles/european-right-gets-boost-from-austrian-freedom-party-victory-1461598555 European Right Gets Boost From Austrian Freedom Party Victory]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved December 17, 2016.</ref> Although Hofer lost the run-off election by less than one percentage point, Austria’s Constitutional Court ordered a re-run of the election due to irregularities in mail-in ballots.<ref>Troianovski, Anton (June 1, 2016). [http://www.wsj.com/articles/austrian-court-orders-rerun-of-presidential-vote-1467369788 Austrian Court Orders Rerun of Presidential Vote]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrievd December 17, 2016.</ref> The election was eventually postponed until December 4, 2016.<ref>Connolly, Kate (September 12, 2016). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/sep/12/austria-presidential-election-rerun-to-be-postponed-faulty-glue-ballot-papers Austrian presidential election postponed due to faulty glue]. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved December 17, 2016.</ref><ref>Tomlinson, Chris (September 13, 2016). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2016/09/13/fpo-austrian-election-delay-embarrassment/ Freedom Party Calls Austrian Election Delay An ‘Embarrassment’]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 17, 2016.</ref>
Hofer ran for President of Austria (a largely ceremonial role) in 2016. In the first round of the election, Hofer received 35.1 percent of the vote, which at the time was the FPÖ's best result in a national election in its history.<ref>Troianovski, Anton (April 25, 2016). [http://www.wsj.com/articles/european-right-gets-boost-from-austrian-freedom-party-victory-1461598555 European Right Gets Boost From Austrian Freedom Party Victory]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved December 17, 2016.</ref> Although Hofer lost the run-off election by less than one percentage point, Austria’s Constitutional Court ordered a re-run of the election due to irregularities in mail-in ballots.<ref>Troianovski, Anton (June 1, 2016). [http://www.wsj.com/articles/austrian-court-orders-rerun-of-presidential-vote-1467369788 Austrian Court Orders Rerun of Presidential Vote]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved December 17, 2016.</ref> The election was eventually postponed until December 4, 2016.<ref>Connolly, Kate (September 12, 2016). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/sep/12/austria-presidential-election-rerun-to-be-postponed-faulty-glue-ballot-papers Austrian presidential election postponed due to faulty glue]. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved December 17, 2016.</ref><ref>Tomlinson, Chris (September 13, 2016). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2016/09/13/fpo-austrian-election-delay-embarrassment/ Freedom Party Calls Austrian Election Delay An ‘Embarrassment’]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 17, 2016.</ref>
Although Hofer faced a far-left<ref name="TheGuardian">Henley, Jon (May 23, 2016). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/23/who-are-men-competing-austrias-next-president-norbert-hofer-alexander-van-der-bellen Who are the two men who competed to be Austria's next president?] ''The Guardian''. Retrieved December 20, 2016.</ref> Green Party candidate in the runoff who supported increased European integration and immigration, despite evidence that contrary positions were necessary, many establishment "conservatives" (who actually align more with leftists) strongly opposed Hofer and endorsed his opponent, Alexander Van der Bellen.<ref>Tomlinson, Chris (November 22, 2016). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2016/11/22/austrian-establishment-conservatives-back-far-left-candidate/ ‘Never Hofer’: Austrian Establishment Conservatives Back Far Left Candidate]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 20, 2016.</ref> Hofer, however, received support from disillusioned working-class voters.<ref>Tomlinson, Chris (November 18, 2016). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2016/11/18/like-trump-norbert-hofer-attracting-disillusioned-working-class-voters/ Like Trump, Austria’s Norbert Hofer Attracting Disillusioned Working Class Voters]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 20, 2016.</ref> Additionally, far-left European leaders, who cannot tell the difference between a conservative and a [[Nazi]], slanderously compared Hofer to a "Nazi."<ref name="BreitbartOct24">Tomlinson, Chris (October 24, 2016). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2016/10/24/former-eu-head-likens-fpo-presidential-candidate-norbert-hofer-nazi/ Former EU Head Likens Austrian Presidential Candidate Norbert Hofer to a Nazi]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 20, 2016.</ref>
Although Hofer faced a far-left<ref name="TheGuardian">Henley, Jon (May 23, 2016). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/23/who-are-men-competing-austrias-next-president-norbert-hofer-alexander-van-der-bellen Who are the two men who competed to be Austria's next president?] ''The Guardian''. Retrieved December 20, 2016.</ref> Green Party candidate in the runoff who supported increased European integration and immigration, despite evidence that contrary positions were necessary, many establishment "conservatives" (who actually align more with leftists) strongly opposed Hofer and endorsed his opponent, Alexander Van der Bellen.<ref>Tomlinson, Chris (November 22, 2016). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2016/11/22/austrian-establishment-conservatives-back-far-left-candidate/ ‘Never Hofer’: Austrian Establishment Conservatives Back Far Left Candidate]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 20, 2016.</ref> Hofer, however, received support from disillusioned working-class voters.<ref>Tomlinson, Chris (November 18, 2016). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2016/11/18/like-trump-norbert-hofer-attracting-disillusioned-working-class-voters/ Like Trump, Austria’s Norbert Hofer Attracting Disillusioned Working Class Voters]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 20, 2016.</ref> Additionally, far-left European leaders, who cannot tell the difference between a conservative and a [[Nazi]], slanderously compared Hofer to a "Nazi."<ref name="BreitbartOct24">Tomlinson, Chris (October 24, 2016). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2016/10/24/former-eu-head-likens-fpo-presidential-candidate-norbert-hofer-nazi/ Former EU Head Likens Austrian Presidential Candidate Norbert Hofer to a Nazi]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 20, 2016.</ref>
It must be noted that as the campaign progressed, Hofer moderated his positions in order to attract more votes, something which possibly actually played a part in his defeat.<ref>McKenzie, Sheena (December 4, 2016). [http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/02/politics/austrian-election-norbert-hofer-profile/ Austrian presidential election: Who is Norbert Hofer?] ''CNN''. Retrieved December 20, 2016.</ref>
It must be noted that as the campaign progressed, Hofer moderated his positions in order to attract more votes, something which possibly actually played a part in his defeat.<ref>McKenzie, Sheena (December 4, 2016). [http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/02/politics/austrian-election-norbert-hofer-profile/ Austrian presidential election: Who is Norbert Hofer?] ''CNN''. Retrieved December 20, 2016.</ref>
==Minister for Infrastructure==
The FPÖ performed well in the 2017 parliamentary elections,<ref name="PolLandscape">Barkin, Noah (October 15, 2017). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-austria-election-europe/what-austrias-election-says-about-europes-political-landscape-idUSKBN1CK0QT What Austria's election says about Europe's political landscape]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved October 21, 2017.</ref> and it achieved an even larger ideological victory.<ref name="StealIdeas">Knolle, Kirsti; Nasralla, Shadia (September 5, 2017). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-austria-election/austrias-far-right-party-accuses-conservatives-of-stealing-campaign-ideas-idUSKCN1BG2GW Austria's far-right party accuses conservatives of stealing campaign ideas]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved October 21, 2017.</ref><ref name="PolLandscape"/><ref name="Murphy2017">Murphy, Francois (July 16, 2017). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-austria-politics-farright-analysis/win-or-lose-austrian-far-rights-views-have-entered-government-idUSKBN1A107V Win or lose, Austrian far right's views have entered government]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved October 21, 2017.</ref><ref>Witte, Griff (October 13, 2017). [https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/win-or-lose-in-austrian-vote-the-far-right-triumphs-as-rivals-back-policies-once-deemed-fringe/2017/10/13/7905468e-adc5-11e7-9b93-b97043e57a22_story.html Win or lose in Austrian vote, the far right triumphs as rivals back policies once deemed fringe]. ''The Washington Post''. Retrieved October 21, 2017.</ref><ref>Grabbe, Heather (October 18, 2017). [http://www.politico.eu/article/sebastian-kurz-austria-election-why-europe-isnt-worried-about-a-right-turn/ Why Europe isn’t worried by Austria’s right tilt (but should be)]. ''Politico''. Retrieved October 21, 2017.</ref> The FPÖ formed a coalition deal with the ÖVP and was able to take several key government agencies.<ref>Multiple references:
*Korolyov, Alexei (December 21, 2017). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/dec/21/nazi-party-offshoot-rises-austria/ Austria’s far right takes power with little fanfare in altered political climate]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
*Atkins, Ralph; Khan, Mehreen (December 17, 2017). [https://www.ft.com/content/4608e324-e26a-11e7-97e2-916d4fbac0da Far-right Freedom party enters Austrian government]. ''Financial Times''. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
*[https://www.thelocal.at/20171216/nothing-to-fear-as-austrian-far-right-enters-government 'Nothing to fear' as Austrian far-right enters government]. ''The Local''. December 16, 2017. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
*[https://www.cnbc.com/2017/12/16/kurzs-austrian-conservatives-bring-far-right-into-government.html Kurz's Austrian conservatives bring far right into government]. ''CNBC'' (from ''Reuters''). December 16, 2017. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
*Tomlinson, Chris (December 16, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/12/16/austrian-populists-enter-government-first-time-since-2005-taking-several-key-ministries/ Austrian Populists Enter Government For First Time Since 2005, Taking Several Key Ministries]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
For information on the individual cabinet members:
*[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-austria-politics-people-factbox/factbox-key-figures-in-austrias-new-coalition-government-idUSKBN1EA0GB Factbox: Key figures in Austria's new coalition government]. ''Reuters''. December 16, 2017. Retrieved December 21, 2017.</ref> As part of the coalition deal, Hofer became the Austrian Minister for Infrastructure.<ref>Oltermann, Philip (December 18, 2017). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/18/thousands-protest-as-far-right-ministers-enter-government-in-austria Muted protests in Vienna as far-right ministers enter Austria's government]. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved January 18, 2018.</ref>
==Political positions==
==Political positions==
==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Hofer converted from [[Roman Catholicism]] to [[Protestantism]]. First he said this was due to the Catholic Church becoming more and more liberal (literally a "left-catholic witchhunt"). Another time he said it was due to his belief that women should be clergy—a position unsupported and even spoken against in the [[Bible]] and one that theologically conservative Protestants also denounce.<ref name="BreitbartOct24"/> His wife and children remain Roman Catholic.<ref name="BreitbartOct24"/> Hofer has four children.<ref name="TheGuardian"/>
Hofer converted from [[Roman Catholicism]] to [[Protestantism]]. First, he said this was due to the Catholic Church becoming more and more liberal (literally a "left-catholic witchhunt"). Another time he said it was due to his belief that women should be clergy—a position unsupported and even spoken against in the [[Bible]] and one that theologically conservative Protestants also denounce.<ref name="BreitbartOct24"/> His wife and children remain Roman Catholic.<ref name="BreitbartOct24"/> Hofer has four children.<ref name="TheGuardian"/>
Due to a 2003 paragliding accident, Hofer walks with a cane.<ref name="TheGuardian"/>
Due to a 2003 paragliding accident, Hofer walks with a cane.<ref name="TheGuardian"/>
==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
==External links==
==External links==