Haider factor worries Europeans

By Batuk Gathani

BRUSSELS, JAN. 28. The Austrian rightists are nearer to forming a coalition government, as the Social Democrats have now abandoned the efforts to form one, clearing way for a centre-right coalition of conservatives and the far-right Freedom Party to come to power.

The prospect of the Freedom Party joining the government has triggered a storm in major European Union capitals because of its leader, Mr. Joerg Haider's extreme rightwing and racist record and agenda. Hence, Mr. Haider may not directly participate in the proposed government. The coalition would be led by Mr. Wolfgang Schuessel of the People's Party. It could be installed early next week.

The mounting criticism in the major E.U. capitals continues unabated while Israel has warned that it will cut off diplomatic ties with Austria and close its mission in Vienna.

The French Foreign Minister said that Austria would find itself in a `new deplorable' state and the German Chancellor, Mr. Schroeder, said in a television interview that while respecting the sovereignty of Austria, he shared the E.U.'s concern over Mr. Haider's rightwing views.

The Prime Minister of Sweden, Mr. Goran Persson, who is hosting the current `holocaust conference' in Sweden, said the Freedom Party's views were not in line with the E.U.'s shared principles of human rights and tolerance.

In Austria itself, the move which highlights an epoch-making change in the last three decades has been greeted with stoic calm verging on cynical callousness. Mr. Haider has gained international notoriety by propagating anti-foreigner policies and turning a blind eye to the Nazi Germany's racist crimes and pogroms. He is a shrewd politician with a telegenic appeal. He is also a pragmatist and is aware of the controversy his presence in the Austrian coalition would trigger. Hence, he vowed not to personally join the new government.

Austria is a member of the E.U. and it has put new strains on Austrian society which is struggling to cope with liberalising forces and the E.U.'s agenda of more transparency and accountability.

Austria is one of the most successful and peaceful countries in Europe, but due to the massive influx of foreign refugees from the Balkans and Eastern Europe during the Nineties, it is seen passing through a fresh bout of social and political hiccups. Mr. Haider's party has dexterously cashed on the racist sentiments.

Among the Western Europe's growing number of rightwing and racist politicians, Mr. Haider, who overtly pursues anti- immigration and anti-E.U. agenda, has a high profile on the domestic front. The agenda has special appeal in Austria which has stagnant but high unemployment rate - average over 11 per cent. In early 1990s, Mr. Haider triggered controversy by overtly praising Hitler's notorious `S.S.' wing of the Nazi army. The S.S. was created essentially to liquidate the ethnic minorities in Nazi- ruled Europe, and also keep a watchful eye on the rank and file of the military and civilian personnel of the Nazi establishment.

In the last Austrian general elections, the Freedom Party emerged as the second largest and one in five Austrians voted for it. Mr. Haider is a complex and confused politician and has changed his mind on key issues. He is rated as a demagogue who follows politics of expediency. His anti-Europe appeal had the support of the recession-hit middle class businessmen and the anti- immigration rhetoric has a special appeal for the extreme right racist factions in the Austrian society.

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Section  : International
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