Haider's Election Comeback
Jörg Haider, leader of the Austrian far right and enfant terrible of European politics, appeared to have staged a startling political comeback last night after being repeatedly written off as a spent force. In provincial elections in his power base of Carinthia in southern Austria,...
Jörg Haider, leader of the Austrian far right and enfant terrible of European politics, appeared to have staged a startling political comeback last night after being repeatedly written off as a spent force.
In provincial elections in his power base of Carinthia in southern Austria, the de facto leader of Austria's Freedom party took almost 43% of the vote, according to early projections, meaning he is almost certain to be re-installed as governor of Carinthia.
Despite polls predicting victory for the opposition Social Democrats, Mr Haider's party came out a clear four points ahead, according to the projections, improving even on his vote five years ago when Mr Haider's popularity locally and nationally was at its height. Mr Haider - whose participation in the national government in 2000 brought EU sanctions against Austria - is likely to exploit the poll triumph to claim a larger national role.
His strong anti-immigration populism is likely to make an impact as several central European countries on Austria's borders join the EU this year.
In provincial elections in his power base of Carinthia in southern Austria, the de facto leader of Austria's Freedom party took almost 43% of the vote, according to early projections, meaning he is almost certain to be re-installed as governor of Carinthia.
Despite polls predicting victory for the opposition Social Democrats, Mr Haider's party came out a clear four points ahead, according to the projections, improving even on his vote five years ago when Mr Haider's popularity locally and nationally was at its height. Mr Haider - whose participation in the national government in 2000 brought EU sanctions against Austria - is likely to exploit the poll triumph to claim a larger national role.
His strong anti-immigration populism is likely to make an impact as several central European countries on Austria's borders join the EU this year.
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