Haider fights for his political life

Joerg Haider: Rocked by political spying scandal

By Paul Brennan in Vienna

Nine months after his far-right Freedom Party entered a coalition government, the controversial Austrian politician, Joerg Haider, is fighting for his political life.

Fending off allegations that he used allies in the police to spy on his political rivals, Mr Haider has gone on the attack.

The Vienna state prosecutor is investigating reports that Mr Haider and other top members of his Freedom Party, or FPoe, illegally obtained confidential police files on party opponents.

Mr Haider gave up his position as FPoe leader earlier in the year but remains its most important figure.

He and other senior members of the Freedom Party have been questioned about the affair.

Coalition wobbles

This week during an FPoe meeting in the state of Carinthia, where he is governor, Mr Haider attacked the Interior and Justice Ministries, and he questioned their motives for launching the investigation.

Speaking to the party faithful Mr Haider said that the Austrian authorities had "declared war" on the FPoe and he claimed they would not rest until he and his party were totally destroyed.

The current scandal has caused unease within the coalition, and the leader of the opposition Social Democrats, Alfred Gusenbauer, recently claimed that he had been approached by Mr Haider's senior partner in the coalition, the People's Party, to help them form a new government without the FPoe.

The People's Party has strongly denied those claims.

If state prosecutors conclude that there is evidence to support the spying allegations, Mr Haider faces a second, more formal investigation which could lead to criminal charges.