BBC News | EUROPE | Anti-Haider protests target Vienna ball

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Friday, 3 March, 2000, 03:28 GMT

Anti-Haider protests target Vienna ball

Up to 15,000 protesters have rallied outside the Vienna Opera House for the latest demonstration against far-right members of Austria's coalition government.

Bow-tied and fur-wrapped ball-goers were taunted by chanting "anti-fascist" demonstrators as they made their way to the ball - the most glittering event of the Viennese social calendar.

More than 1,000 police were deployed around the Opera House and surrounding streets were sealed off.

Many protesters were in costume, in keeping with the Carnival season - Europe's version of the Mardi Gras.

Among the protestors was a man dressed as Adolf Hitler in full Nazi uniform who arrived in a white Rolls Royce shortly before the Austrian president.

He tried to gatecrash the ball, but was arrested and bundled away kicking and screaming. Dancers on stage

The protest was mostly peaceful, although at one point some 500 demonstrators tried to force their way through lines of riot police.

Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio, whose country now heads the European Union's rotating presidency, was invited as guest of honour, but sent his regrets days after the coalition came to power early last month. Special invitations were also extended to artists and opera singers, including American tenor Neil Shicoff.

But he decided to stay away from the ball for "moral" reasons.

Porn star

The mayors of Frankfurt, Germany and Athens, Greece also stayed away. shield

Austrian industrialist Richard Lugner has faced great difficulty in finding an international celebrity to accompany him to the ball.

Past celebrity guests have included the singer Grace Jones and the Duchess of York.

But this year, with Vienna in political disgrace, Mr Lugner has had to content himself with a German television porn star. Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel and his wife Krista

Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel and his wife Krista

Nevertheless, organisers said tickets to the ball, which cost up to $14,000, have been sold out as usual.

Earlier this week, Joerg Haider, who has caused controversy over remarks praising Hitler's policies, stepped down as Freedom Party head, but he remains on the board of directors and is considered to be in charge, as before.

The Freedom Party's participation in the coalition has resulted in sanctions against Austria by fellow EU nations and other countries.

Related to this story:
In pictures: Vienna's ball (03 Mar 00 | Europe)
Austria's new resistance (26 Feb 00 | From Our Own Correspondent)
Analysis: Haider's tactical move (29 Feb 00 | Europe)
Joerg Haider: Key quotes (02 Feb 00 | Europe)

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