Austria's Haider bows out

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/europe/newsid_732000/732402.stm

Mr Haider is unlikely to leave national politics Joerg Haider, the controversial leader of Austria's far-right Freedom Party, officially stepped down on Monday - but he remains the key figure behind the scenes.

He first announced his resignation in February following widespread international condemnation of his party's entry into the governing coalition.

His replacement, Susanne Riess-Passer, the Austrian vice-chancellor, pledged absolute loyalty to Mr Haider.

"The Freedom Party remains Joerg Haider's party," she said in her acceptance speech at a party congress in Klagenfurt.

Mr Haider said that he as stepping down to help the government function smoothly and show that Freedom Party ministers were not his puppets.

Ms Riess-Passer, Mr Haider's former spokeswoman, was nominated to the job by Mr Haider himself, who promised continuity of the policy.

She won 91.5% of the vote.

High ambitions

Analysts say that despite the handover, Mr Haider will remain the de facto party leader.

His six ministers in government are inexperienced and rely on his advice.

Despite his insistence that he wants to concentrate on his role as regional governor, many predict he will be pulling the strings of his ministers.

He is also likely to further his own political ambitions, as he has made no secret of his desire to be Austria's Chancellor.

According to analysts, Mr Haider can now criticise the coalition's austerity measures, which are hitting Freedom Party voters, and, if local election results show a slump in support, he could be persuaded to return.

Austria's right versus EU

Mr Haider's anger at the European Union's diplomatic and political isolation of Austria following the inclusion of his party in the coalition remains unabated.

During the past week,he has accused the EU countries of hypocrisy for snubbing Austria but welcoming the presidents of Iran and Russia, criticised the EU for failing to tackle fraud, and even suggested Austria withdraw its membership.

Austria's Chancellor, Wolfgang Schuessel, has dismissed such a proposal, but has not excluded Haider's suggestion for a referendum on EU sanctions.

Mr Haider said he expected the EU soon to lift the political sanctions imposed on Austria when his Freedom Party joined the coalition government.

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Monday May 1 5:33 AM ET

Austria's Haider Says EU Sanctions Will End Soon http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20000501/wl/austria_haider_2.html

By Mark Thompson

KLAGENFURT, Austria (Reuters) - Austrian far-right leader Joerg Haider said Monday he expected the EU soon to lift political sanctions imposed on Austria when his Freedom Party joined a new coalition government in February.

``We will end these sanctions soon,'' Haider told reporters as he arrived at a party conference in the Carinthian capital of Klagenfurt at which he was to formally resign as leader.

Austria's most controversial post-war politician announced his plan to step down two months ago after 14 years during which he rescued the party from near extinction and tripled its share of the vote.

Under his leadership, the Freedom Party returned to national government, entering a coalition with the conservative People's Party in February -- a move which prompted Austria's 14 EU partners to freeze bilateral political ties.

Haider, 50, is quitting at a time of record domestic popularity and unmatched international isolation. The sanctions were imposed because Austria's EU partners doubt the far right's commitment to democracy and respect for human rights.

A small crowd of anti-Haider protesters gathered outside the conference. Several thousand were expected to take part in a traditional May Day march in Vienna -- organized by the opposition Social Democrats -- against the government.

Freedom Party Ministers Not Puppets

Best known abroad for remarks playing down Nazis crimes, comments for which he has apologized, Haider said in February he was stepping down to help the government function smoothly and show that Freedom Party ministers were not his puppets.

Last week, he said the change in leadership was not designed to reassure Austria's partners but would reflect a change of style and allow a new generation to take charge.

European leaders, including German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and Swedish Prime Minister Goran Persson, have in recent days made clear there is little prospect of EU states altering their stance.

Freedom Party politicians have begun an increasingly vociferous campaign against the EU, calling for a referendum on the sanctions and suggesting Austria should delay payments to Brussels. Haider has even said the country should consider leaving the union.

Haider has nominated Susanne Riess-Passer, his former spokeswoman and vice-chancellor in the coalition with Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel's conservative People's Party, as his successor, promising continuity of policy.

Despite his stated intention not to return to national politics, supporters and opponents alike believe he has not given up the dream of one day making a comeback as chancellor.

Freed from the leadership, he will have scope to criticize the coalition's austerity measures -- which are hitting Freedom Party voters hard -- and, if local election results show a slump in support, he could be persuaded to return, analysts say.

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