He ran as a nominally independent candidate supported by the Green Party in the 2016 presidential election, and finished second in the first round before winning the second round against far-right candidate Norbert Hofer. A second election was ordered since the votes were too narrow. In December 2016, Van der Bellen won the election with more votes. He became the first Austrian president to be directly elected by popular vote. He took office on 26 January 2017.