VIENNA (Reuters) - The leader of Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPO) Norbert Hofer stepped down on Tuesday but pointedly did not back his high-profile deputy and rival Herbert Kickl to succeed him. My own journey at the head of the FPO, however, ends today," Hofer said in a statement by the party. The statement did not say why Hofer, 50, was quitting but referred to recent treatment for back problems. "I was surprised by the events of the day," party heavyweight Manfred Haimbuchner, FPO leader the province of Upper Austria, said in a statement. On the next leader, Hofer's statement said only: "I wish my successor in this post good luck for the future."

Source: The Star June 01, 2021 19:01 UTC