Press welcomes Haider resignation

European newspapers largely welcome the resignation of Joerg Haider from the position of chairman of the Freedom Party, but some warn that he still harbours strong political ambitions.

"Upheaval among Freedom Party members: Haider resigns as FP boss," says the headline of Vienna's Die Presse.

The paper calls the resignation of Mr Haider from the position of Freedom Party chairman a "dramatic development".

The paper says that according to the information available to it, Haider had explained his decision as follows: "He did not want to endanger his party's project of participation in the federal government. The international criticism to which he has been subjected had tired him as well, and the prejudices were insurmountable," it says.

However, Die Presse is not entirely taken in by these explanations: "Haider continues his games," says the title of one of its commentaries.

"For several hours on Monday one could have believed that FP boss Joerg Haider had finally come to his senses and to a little self-understanding," it says.

Austria's 'saviour'

It admits that Haider's resignation will somewhat reduce international pressure on the current government and also allow the governing coalition a "breather" to organise itself.

However, "one thing we should never forget," the paper warns: "Joerg Haider ... sees himself as Austria's 'saviour'."

"He will strive to return as such as the FP's main candidate at the next general election - and from this aim he has not budged a single millimetre," it says.

The Brussels-based De Standaard also takes a cool stance to the news of the Austrian politician's resignation.

Iron grip

"Haider's resignation a tactical manoeuvre," says the title of the paper's article on the event. Outside Corinthia too Haider retains an iron grip on his party," it says.

"The decision is less spectacular than it looks," it says. It quotes Austrian European Parliament member Peter Sichrovsky as saying that behind Haider's statement that he was going to dedicate himself fully to the governorship of Corinthia was his wish to become the next Austrian chancellor.

"This is supposed to be a visiting card for a later term as chancellor," Sichrovsky is quoted as saying.

"The Austrian opposition was not particularly surprised either. Alfred Gusenbauer, the chairman of the social democratic SPO, spoke of a 'feint'," the paper says.

"Joerg Haider resigns as FPO chairman so as not to continue harming the country's image," says Madrid's ABC.

The paper adds that there is talk that the new government's justice minister, Michael Krueger, also from the FPO, has resigned too.

"Close friends within the party referred to "personal problems" to explain the surprise resignation, only three weeks since talking up the position," it says.