Everything you need to know about 'Austria's Donald Trump' - who could become the first far-right European head of state since WW2

Today, far-right politician Norbert Hofer could become Austria's president, and therefore be the first far-right head of state in Europe since the Second World War.

In July, Austria's Constitutional Court declared the presidential election in Austria - which Hofer lost narrowly in May - invalid because of numerous irregularities. Sunday, December 4 sees the re-running of that election.

During the first election, Hofer lost a run-off against Independent, former Green party spokesperson, Alexander van der Bellen, by 50.3% to 49.7%.

He now has another chance to become the country's president, and cement his meteoric rise. Van der Bellen will be his opponent once again.

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 initial campaign, Hofer was compared to the man who is now US President-elect, Donald Trump for his anti-immigration stance. He also drew attention for 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 wave of populism that has swept Europe and the USA, leading to Trump's election and Brexit, as well as the rise of Marine le Pen, the far-right leader of France's Front National.

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.