Austria's next president could be a right-wing Eurosceptic

Norbert Hofer of Austria's Freedom Party, FPOE, and Alexander Van der Bellen, candidate of the Austrian Greens, from left, wait for the start of a TV debate in Vienna, Austria, Thursday, May 19, 2016. Europeans of all political stripes are focusing this weekend on Austrian elections that have significance far beyond the small EU nation’s borders. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak) (The Associated Press)

In this picture taken Thursday, May 19, 2016, a man walks past election posters of Alexander van der Bellen, candidate for the presidential elections and former head of the Austrian Greens, right, and Norbert Hofer, candidate for presidential elections of Austria's right-wing Freedom Party, FPOE, left, in Vienna, Austria, Thursday, May 19, 2016. Austrians will vote a new president on Sunday, May 22. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak) (The Associated Press)

VIENNA – For the first time since World War II, a right-wing politician could win Sunday's election for the Austrian presidency as established parties that have dominated postwar politics watch from the sidelines.

Candidates backed by the dominant Social Democratic and centrist People's Party were eliminated in last month's first round, which means neither will become president for the first time since the end of the war.

That reflects deep disillusionment with the political status quo and their approach to the migrant crisis and other issues.

As voting got underway Sunday, the contest was too close to call between Norbert Hofer of the right-wing Eurosceptic Freedom Party and Greens Party politician Alexander Van der Bellen, who is running as an independent.