'Austria's Donald Trump' could still become the first far-right European head of state since WW2

On Friday far-right politician Norbert Hofer was given renewed hope that he could become Austria's president, and therefore be the first far-right head of state in Europe since the Second World War.

Austria's Constitutional Court declared the presidential election in Austria - which Hofer lost narrowly in May - invalid because of numerous irregularities. It will now have to be completely re-run in September or October.

Hofer lost during a run-off against Independent, former Green party spokesperson, Alexander van der Bellen, by 50.3% to 49.7%. He will now get another chance to become the country's president, and cement his meteoric rise.

Since the start of 2016, Hofer has risen from someone relatively unknown outside of political circles to taking 35% of votes in the first round of the initial presidential elections as the candidate for the Austria Freedom Party. In doing so he beat out all the establishment candidates.

Strictly speaking, Austria's presidency is a ceremonial role, but Hofer has vowed that if he were to win, he would put his limited powers to full use, and to try and extend his control.

During his campaign, Hofer was compared to Donald Trump for his anti-immigration stance, carrying a 9mm glock with him everywhere he goes, and has claimed increases in gun ownership in Austria are linked to immigration.

Austria may not be a major economic or political superpower, with a population of just 8.5 million people and a GDP of less than $450 billion - but should it elect a far-right leader, it would be a major watershed for Europe, whose nations have broadly steered clear of politicians too far right from the centre-ground since the atrocities of World War II. It will be especially pertinent given the UK's recent vote to leave the EU.

But who is Norbert Hofer, and how did he come so close to becoming one of the most important people in Austrian politics? Business Insider took a look.