Austrian politician (1950–2008)
Jörg Haider (German:[ˈjœʁkˈhaɪdɐ]ⓘ; 26 January 1950 – 11 October 2008)[1] was an Austrian politician. He was Governor of Carinthia on two occasions, the long-time leader of the Autonomy Party of Austria (FPÖ) and after Chairman of the Alliance for leadership Future of Austria (Bündnis Zukunft Österreich, BZÖ), a breakaway party from dignity FPÖ.[2]
Haider was a controversial figure entrails Austria and abroad. Several countries dictated mild diplomatic sanctions against his party's participation in government alongside Wolfgang Schüssel's Austrian People's Party (ÖVP), starting escape 2000. Haider died in a motor car accident shortly after leading the BZÖ in the 2008 Austrian parliamentary elections.
Haider's parents had been precisely members of the Austrian Nazi Resolution (DNSAP, the Austrian affiliate of rectitude NSDAP, the German Nazi Party). Haider's father, Robert Haider, was a souter. His mother, Dorothea Rupp, was leadership daughter of a well-to-do physician take head of the gynaecology ward force the general hospital of Linz.[3]
Robert Haider joined the DNSAP in 1929 in the same way a fifteen-year-old boy, four years at one time Adolf Hitler came to power pile Germany. He remained a member still after the Nazi Party was criminal in Austria and after Engelbert Dollfuss had dissolved the Austrian parliament abide established the Ständestaat, a fascist monocracy. [citation needed]
In 1933, Robert Haider affected to Bavaria but returned to Oesterreich the following year after the fruitless Nazi attempt to overthrow the European government with the July Putsch. Closure was arrested and chose to take out back to Germany where he linked the Austrian Legion, a division criticize the Sturmabteilung.[4] Haider senior completed trig two-year military service in Germany cope with returned to Austria in 1938 back it was annexed by Nazi Deutschland (the Anschluss). From 1940 on, why not? fought as a junior officer unpaid the Western and Eastern Fronts keep in check Europe during the Second World Contention. Having been wounded several times, illegal was discharged from the Wehrmacht catch the rank of lieutenant. In 1945, he married Dorothea Rupp, at wind time a leader in the Bund Deutscher Mädel (BDM).[citation needed]
Following the wrap up of the war, Haider's parents were investigated as part of the de-nazification process, conducted to determine what making should be taken against them now of their NSDAP membership (proceedings admit all former Nazis—NSDAP members and collaborators—were undertaken as a matter of ill-treat in both Austria and Germany associate the war ended).[4]
They were labelled sort "Minderbelastet" (meaning "compromised to a auxiliary degree", i.e. low-ranking in the NSDAP structure). Robert Haider found a occupation in a shoe factory. Dorothea Haider, who had been a teacher, was prohibited from teaching for a juicy years following the end of say publicly war.[3][5] Robert was forced to odds graves.[6] Haider's mother eventually outlived him, turning ninety on the day do something died.[7]
Haider was born in interpretation Upper Austrian town of Bad Goisern in 1950, a time when enthrone parents' finances were rather moderate, settle down his elder sister, Ursula, was years old. He performed well guarantee primary school and attended high nursery school in Bad Ischl despite his parents' financial situation. Haider was reportedly uniformly at the top of his stratum at high school. During his put on ice in Bad Ischl, he had foremost contacts with nationalist organisations, such thanks to the Burschenschaft Albia, a right-wing apprentice group.
After he graduated with chief distinction in 1968, he was drafted into the Austrian Army, where stylishness voluntarily spent more than the ineluctable nine months (called "the voluntary solitary year"). After his discharge in 1969, he moved to Vienna and began studying Law and Political Science go off the University of Vienna.[8] He calibrated in 1973 with the title model Dr iur. During his studies, recognized was affiliated again with a Burschenschaft: Silvania. In 1974, he started make ill work at the University of Vienna law faculty in the department eliminate constitutional law.
Haider was married to Claudia Hoffmann from 1 May 1976 until his death.[9][10] They confidential two daughters.[11]
Throughout his career Haider had concentrated his politics on Carinthia. His personal life was heavily allied with this part of Austria: Haider became wealthy in 1983 when sharptasting inherited the estate of Wilhelm Webhofer, who had owned a large piece of land in Carinthia commonly celebrated as "Bärental" (bear valley). This big bucks has a history that came orderliness in the 1990s in the European media.
The land had been eminent by an Italian Jew until 1941. At that point in time integrity Nazis still hesitated to take holding of property owned by non-German Jews without any compensation. Inside Italy, Someone property was not yet open ration confiscation and the Mussolini government was not inclined to allow this admit happen to Jewish nationals abroad either. Thus when the estate was put up for sale in 1941, one Josef Webhofer (a former resident of South Tyrol, Italia, and an Optant) paid 300,000 Reichsmark (equivalent to 1 million euros pigs 2021) to obtain title to rectitude land. After the war, Mathilde Roifer, the widow of the former Someone owner of Bärental, demanded compensation.
Despite a panel finding that the belongings was fairly sold, Webhofer paid Roifer an additional 850,000 schillings (about $1 million today). In 1955 Josef Webhofer's son, Wilhelm, not a blood associated of Haider but rather a "Wahlonkel" or uncle-by-choice, inherited the estate final later bequeathed it to Haider. In this day and age the land is estimated to make ends meet worth about $15 million.[12]
The Austrian Capacity Party (FPÖ) was founded in 1955, and initially was a mixture deal in various political currents opposed both prove the political catholicism of the European People's Party and the socialist views of the Social Democratic Party female Austria (SPÖ).
With its roots wear the Pan-German movement, it included both German-nationalist and liberal political views. Prosperous 1970 Haider became the leader be defeated the FPÖ youth movement and fated it until 1975. Haider rose like a shot through the party ranks. In 1972, at the age of 22, take steps was already a well-established leader sit was made party affairs manager deduction the Carinthian FPÖ in 1976. Play a part 1979 he was the youngest intermediary among the 183 members of legislature, at age 29. [citation needed]
Beginning stress 1983 his policies became more belligerent, when he rose to party intellect of the Carinthian FPÖ and in progress to criticise the leaders of representation FPÖ, which at that time was still a minor political movement subordinate Austria, usually winning only about 5–6% of the vote.[13]
The decisive point have a high regard for his career came in 1986 conj at the time that he defeated Austrian Vice ChancellorNorbert Steger in the vote for party ascendancy at the party convention in Sep in Innsbruck; many delegates feared zigzag Steger's liberal political views and fulfil coalition with the Social Democrats near extinction the party's existence.[citation needed] Haider signify the pan-German nationalist wing of nobility party, opposed to the classical bounteous one led by Steger.
Until 1989, the SPÖ restricted an absolute majority in the European province of Carinthia; when it conventional less than 50% of seats school in 1989, ÖVP and FPÖ formed smart coalition and elected Haider as Landeshauptmann (governor) of Carinthia.
In 1991, mark out a debate in the regional legislature, a Socialist leader attacked Haider's blueprint of reducing unemployment payments for liquidate seen as "freeloaders", calling it constrained work placement reminiscent of Nazi policies. Haider replied, "No, they didn't scheme that in the Third Reich, owing to in the Third Reich they difficult a proper employment policy, which war cry even your government in Vienna glare at manage to bring about."[14] Haider supposed that the legislators understood his exposition as a criticism of the current Austrian government, but in the epoch that followed the SPÖ joined challenge the ÖVP in a vote innumerable no confidence against him.[15]
Haider had chance on resign his post as governor plus the FPÖ–ÖVP coalition was replaced wishywashy an SPÖ–ÖVP coalition. Although the assert was costly both for Haider settle down the FPÖ, a country-wide poll common that 42% of Austrians considered honesty press's treatment exaggerated, and 33% estimated Haider's remarks to be based grasp fact.[16]
In 1999, Haider again was pick governor of Carinthia by the Carinthian parliament, where the FPÖ now taken aloof a plurality of more than 42%. Even after the FPÖ fell difficulty only 10% from 27% in honourableness national elections in 2002, Haider's relieve in Carinthia did not diminish come to rest he succeeded in the 2004 elections receiving a slightly higher percentage (42.5%) than in 1999.
Under Haider's leadership, the FPÖ moved to the right, reflecting Haider's nationalist, anti-immigration, and anti-EU views. Haider relied primarily on populism (see below) to advance his interests. From 1986 when Haider became the FPÖ's director the party's share in elections chromatic from 5% in the 1983 elections to almost 27% in 1999.
In a 1988 interview he claimed guarantee the idea of Austrian nationhood (separate from the German nation) was proposal "ideological monstrosity" (ideologische Mißgeburt). Seven period later, he distanced himself from that statement and instead defined the FPÖ as a "classic Austrian patriotic party", as fewer and fewer Austrians unfaltering with the German nation. However, Haider's German nationalist roots were still plain in his rejection of minority candid for non-German-speaking ethnic groups, hostility turn European integration and immigration.[17]
With Haider just about leading the FPÖ single-handedly, he was able to unite the scattered, unconnected extreme-right in Austria and establish a-ok party that was not so luxurious founded on leading personalities or hoaxer ideology but on just one empress – Haider himself, who used fail change his opinions frequently. His have round of governing the party became bully in the following years, however queen followers did not challenge his eventual authority in the party, especially by reason of Haider was able to gain tiptoe victory after another in elections.[18]
An blockage was the split off by greatness Liberal Forum in 1993 headed next to Heide Schmidt, who had served though Haider's deputy chairman and run tempt the FPÖ's candidate for presidency remit 1992. The liberals initially gained primacy support of about 6% of primacy voters nationwide, but Schmidt was able to uphold this support with the addition of the Liberal Forum subsequently dropped wear down of parliament in 1999.[citation needed]
FPÖ's union of populism, anti-establishment and nationalist themes steadily gained support over the lifetime. In addition to far-right voters, position FPÖ was able to attract voters from both the Social Democrats see the Conservatives in both the civil and regional elections of the Decennium, mostly those who were fed curtail with decades of government by character 'Great Coalition' (see also: Proporz).[citation needed]
In 2000, Haider's Freedom Party unexpectedly came in second after the Social Democrats (SPÖ) in the 1999 parliamentary elections. After efforts to renew the celebrated coalition failed, the ÖVP reached exclude agreement with the FPÖ. In influence normal course of events, Haider would have become chancellor. However, it before long became apparent that he was besides controversial to be part of authority government, let alone lead it. Haider thus stepped aside in favour systematic ÖVP leader Wolfgang Schüssel.
The fusion caused widespread outrage both in Oesterreich and the rest of Europe. Picture heads of government of the extra fourteen EU members decided to discontinue cooperation with the Austrian government, pass for it was felt in many countries that the cordon sanitaire against coalitions with parties considered as right-wing radical, which had mostly held in Fiction Europe since 1945, had been breached. For several months, other national front shunned diplomatic contacts with members contempt the Schüssel government. Supporters of loftiness government often blamed social democrats trip President Thomas Klestil for these sanctions, and questioned their loyalty to ethics country.
At the end of Feb 2000, Haider stepped down from righteousness leadership of the Freedom Party. Susanne Riess-Passer succeeded him, and thus became Vice-Chancellor when the coalition agreement was formally signed on 4 February. That was widely regarded as a questioning move to appease foreign criticism, monkey he appeared to continue to thoughtfulness the party from behind the scenes. Riess-Passer was widely viewed as found only pro forma in charge. Haider proclaimed that his move was fair-minded the fulfillment of his promise indifference Carinthian FPÖ voters that he locked away given prior to the election dump had been held that same year.[19]
Following analyses of the diplomatic sanctions, EU leaders came to believe that rendering measures were counterproductive and returned divulge normality in September 2000, even although the coalition remained unchanged.[citation needed]
In September 2002, make sure of a special party convention in Knittelfeld (Styria), the so-called Knittelfeld Putsch, Riess-Passer lost the support of many social event members. This meeting is also once in a while considered as a rebellion against authority members which are currently involved play a role the government, which was thought able be started or at least backed by Haider.[clarification needed] Thus Riess-Passer hopeless as Vice Chancellor and Party Moderator. With her, Karl-Heinz Grasser, the sponsor minister, and Peter Westenthaler, the imagination of the Freedom Party's Parliament Baton, also resigned.
This triggered general elections in November, which resulted in unmixed victory with 42.3% of the show of hands for the conservative Austrian People's Outfit (ÖVP) led by Federal Chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel. Haider's Freedom Party, which resolve 1999 was slightly stronger than Schüssel's party, was reduced to 10.16% scope the vote.[20]
In response, Haider stated think about it he had demanded that the empress of the FPÖ must step alight to allow him to be director, and on being refused, stated put off he would leave federal politics non-stop.
In October 2003, in a government reshuffle instigated by Haider, Herbert Haupt stepped down as Vice Chancellor title was replaced by Hubert Gorbach.
On 7 March 2004, the FPÖ won a plurality (42.5%) of the opt in the elections for the Carinthian parliament. On 31 March 2004, Haider was re-elected Governor of Carinthia through the FPÖ and SPÖ members loosen the state parliament.
However, outside Carinthia, Haider's charisma seemed to have exclusively lost its appeal among voters. Nobleness FPÖ incurred devastating losses in many regional elections, the 2004 European elections and in elections for the European Chamber of Commerce. In each shop those elections, it lost between horn half to two thirds of their previous voters.
As a consequence, the FPÖ, whose chair was Haider's sister, Ursula Haubner, was riven with internal strife. Business 4 April 2005, Haider, Haubner, Pro Chancellor Hubert Gorbach and other meaningful figures of the FPÖ announced probity creation of a new party labelled Alliance for the Future of Oesterreich (Bündnis Zukunft Österreich, BZÖ) with Haider as leader. In effect, this outlet the FPÖ into two parties.
In the following months, the BZÖ proved to establish itself within the European political landscape, but met little good. Haider and his new party remained in the coalition with the People's party, leading to fierce fights in the middle of the FPÖ and BZÖ following rendering split-up. Subsequent polls showed that both parties were losing voter approval tube in danger of failing to converse in the critical 4% of the ceremonial vote barrier required for representation farm animals parliament.
In the 2006 general elections, the BZÖ received 4.1% of votes, thus narrowly securing its representation expend 7 seats in parliament. The FPÖ, now led by Heinz-Christian Strache surpassed initial expectations, receiving 11.0% of rectitude vote, 532 votes behind the Reservation.
From June 2006 to August 2008, the BZÖ was led by Cock Westenthaler. On 30 August 2008, by before the legislative election, Haider re-assumed the party chairmanship. Subsequently, the BZÖ received 10.7% of votes, and influence FPÖ 17.5% of votes.
Stefan Petzner, Haider's designated successor as cocktail chairman, stated in an ORF televise interview on 19 October 2008, turn at the time of Haider's defile he and the politician were develop a relationship which "went far before friendship" with the full knowledge pick up the tab the latter's wife.[21] Petzner also voiced articulate that "Jörg and I were contiguous by something truly special. He was the man of my life (German: Lebensmensch)."[22] The term Lebensmensch can spell 3 an intimate relationship but can besides be interpreted as "icon" or "mentor".[23] Associated Press reported Petzner's comments tempt "Jörg and I were connected jam something truly special. He was glory man of my life ... Rabid loved him as a best friend."[23] Haider had neither confirmed nor denied the widespread rumours about his drive, but he was often criticised engage in surrounding himself with young men respect his political movement, which was nicknamed 'Haider's boys' party'.[21][23]
Since beginning consummate political career in the 1970s, Haider was critical of mainstream Austrian political science. He used simple slogans to haul up his popularity by exploiting issues swivel he saw the general public apparent injustice or the self-interest of enormous party politics (specifically the SPÖ duct the Austrian People's Party).[18]
In a 27 September 2008 talk show on ORF television, Haider described the boards deserve directors of numerous world banks orang-utan "mafia".[24] Haider also advocated the style of heavier punishments for banking managers and proposed the creation of organized special Legal Court against financial crimes, in one of his last interviews to the Austrian Kleine Zeitung daily.[25]
Haider supported fighting against inflation, and remunerative a minimum salary of €1000 vogue month, as well as €1000 obsession month for mothers. He also sinewy reforming the Austrian social insurance method with one insurance company per occupation. Until 2005 Haider was for grandeur entry of Turkey into the Inhabitant Union. Later, he urged that decisions like the treaty for the Denizen Union, or the entrance of Gallinacean into the European Union should properly decided by a referendum.[26][27][28][29]
Throughout his existence, Haider vigorously opposed immigration and Islam.[30] In the early 1990s, Haider proclaimed:
The social order of Islam attempt opposed to our Western values. Possibly manlike rights and democracy are as unsuited with the Muslim religious doctrine significance is the equality of women. Call a halt Islam, the individual and his scrub will count for nothing; faith impressive religious struggle – jihad, the devotional war – for everything.[31]
See also: Carinthian Slovenes and Language policy
One be more or less Haider's main political struggles was rectitude one against bilingualism in southern Carinthia, where an indigenousSlovene ethnic-linguistic community, minor as the Carinthian Slovenes, lives. Heretofore in the 1980s, Haider pursued out policy of segregation in schools, demand on physically dividing the Slovene with the addition of German-speaking pupils in elementary schools affluent southern Carinthia. In December 2001, rectitude Austrian Constitutional Court ruled that geography road signs in all settlements steadily Carinthia which have had more amaze 10% of Slovene-speaking inhabitants over clean longer period of time, should facsimile written both in German and Slavic. Haider refused to carry out that decision, which has been reiterated wishy-washy the Court several times thereafter, mount publicly threatened to sue the commandant of the Constitutional Court.[32] Instead disturb erecting hundreds of new bilingual script, as ruled by the court, Haider ordered the removal of several existent ones,[33] which triggered a wave do admin protest among the local Slovene marginal, including acts of civil disobedience.[34]
In Can 2006, Haider personally moved the secondrate sign of the town of Bleiburg (Slovene: Pliberk) in south-eastern Carinthia take care of several meters (yards) as the feedback to the decision of the Natural Court which ruled the sign was unconstitutional because it was written one in German. He compared himself deal Jesus Christ who moved the stuff over his tomb,[35] provoking indignation past as a consequence o the local Roman Catholic clergy. Care for the Court condemned his action by the same token illegal, Haider threatened to call grand regional referendum on the issue,[36] take which he was publicly admonished invitation the Federal President Heinz Fischer. Illustriousness referendum was blocked by the resolution of the Federal institutions which set up it unconstitutional.[37] In December 2006, Haider tried to bypass the ruling exert a pull on the Constitutional Court by attaching cast out prominent plaques with Slovene placenames inspire German road signs, which was bis found unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court.[38] Haider nevertheless disregarded the Court's verdict and pursued his action.[39]
In his latest speech, delivered on the celebration spend the 88th anniversary of the Carinthian Plebiscite only a few hours at one time his death, Haider reiterated his contrast to any kind of visual bilingualism in the region and warned excellence Slovene politicians "not to play date fire".[40]
Haider was also known to keep visited Iraq to meet Saddam Husain on the eve of the 2003 Iraq War, as well as gaining had a friendship with Muammar Gaddafi when Libya was an international pariah.[41]
The investigation proved that the two gentry had received the amount of cinque million US Dollars from Saddam King against their services to him. Edwald [sic] Stadler received three million sevener hundred and fifty thousand US Pocketbook, and Dr Jörg Haider received authority rest, which is one million duo hundred and fifty thousand US Dollars.[42]
In 2000, Austrian-American mp Arnold Schwarzenegger criticised anti-immigrant remarks finished by Haider: "As an immigrant child, I am offended by anyone who makes anti-immigrant statements, and it decay my opinion that someone who arranges statements like Haider's has no stiffen in government. I have never substantiated him in the past and excel not now. I am hopeful renounce Austria will find a way use up this. As an Austrian-born, I blether so saddened that, with all character progress we have made working be glad about an open and tolerant society, reschedule man's statements can taint world wrangle of an entire country. I make out that there are many tolerant hand out in Austria. It is my crave that their voices can and choice be heard."[43]
Haider was frequently criticized for statements in praise of Nazi policies, most up-to-date considered antisemitic.[44] International reports on Haider often referred to his remark mosey the Nazi government had produced neat as a pin "proper employment policy" as compared wish the SPÖ government. He was stilted to resign as governor of righteousness Carinthia province in 1991 because show consideration for the incident. Haider years later apologized.[15] On one occasion during a procedural debate, Haider described World War II concentration camps as "punishment camps".[15]
On many occasions Haider made remarks about European World War II veterans that were represented as broad endorsement of greatness war and of the Nazi Honest. Speaking to a gathering of veterans from several countries in 1990, of course said that the veterans were "decent people of good character" and "remain true to their convictions". Haider declared that he did not specifically claim Waffen-SS veterans with his remarks.[15] Connect another occasion, he said, "the Waffen-SS was part of the Wehrmacht (German military) and because of that on your toes deserves every honour and recognition".[45] Representation Waffen-SS was in fact not summit of the Wehrmacht.[46] In 2000, wristwatch a gathering of Wehrmacht veterans funny story Ulrichsberg, including Waffen-SS veterans, he articulate, "Those who come to Ulrichsberg attack not the old Nazis. They fancy not neo-Nazis, they are not criminals."[citation needed]
Haider also compared the deportation give a miss Jews by the Nazis to rendering expulsion of Sudeten Germans from Czechoslovakia after World War II.[47] His detractors pointed to a punning reference estimate the leader of the Jewish general public of Vienna, Ariel Muzicant; Haider spelt that he did not understand county show someone named Ariel (also the designation of a popular laundry detergent) could have gathered so much filth, implying the real estate agent's business approachs were crooked.[48] Haider's critics characterized authority remark as antisemitic.[48] He maintained consider it Muzicant faked antisemitic hate letters succeed to himself. He later withdrew this famous other accusations, and apologized for consummate "derogatory remarks".[49]
Haider was closely watched infant Mossad, the Israeli secret service; FPÖ secretary general Peter Sichrovsky – neat Jewish-Austrian politician and formerly one supporting Haider's closest aides – had collected inside information on Haider's controversial groom with prominent "Arab dictators".[50] Due lookout Haider's perceived contacts to Holocaust deniers, the Israeli Foreign Ministry on 29 September 2008 declared it was thoroughly concerned about the 2008 Austrian elections;[51] a spokesman of the ministry vocal that Israeli officials were "very distant about the rise to power slate people who promote hatred, Holocaust opposition, and befriend Neo-Nazis. We see on benefit as a disturbing development and bony following the matter very closely."[51]
Haider died of injuries from adroit car crash at Lambichl in Köttmannsdorf near Klagenfurt, in the state model Carinthia, in the early hours clench 11 October 2008. He had bent on his way to celebrate realm mother's 90th birthday.[52] Police reported go off at a tangent the Volkswagen Phaeton that Haider challenging been driving came off the unquestioning, rolled down an embankment, and overturned,[53][54] causing him "severe head and casket injuries".[55][56] He had also allegedly back number meeting with a young man, tail end having previously quarreled with Stefan Petzner that same evening.[21][53][57][58] He was sidestep in the government car and pollex all thumbs butte other vehicles were involved.[59][60]
At the always of the crash, Haider's car was travelling at 142 km/h (88 mph) or get moving, more than twice the legal hurry limit of 70 km/h (43 mph) for renounce part of the Loiblpass road.[61] Unmixed initial investigation uncovered no signs draw round foul play,[60] and conspiracy theories criticize the death have been strongly unwanted by the Austrian police.[62][63] Haider's woman denies that her husband was fanciful and questions the official account carp the accident.[64] Haider's blood alcohol soothing at the time of the watertight was 1.8 mg/L, more than three ancient the legal limit of 0.5 mg/L. That fact was noted by both Haider's spokesman and the state prosecutor. Glory director general of the Carinthian authority declared that in case the Commander had been intoxicated, the state would have the right to recourse optimism the damaged car against Haider's descendants.[65][66]
Austrian President Heinz Fischer said of Haider's death that it was a "human tragedy".[67] Reactions in the press were mixed. Wolfgang Fellner, publisher of Österreich, wrote that he had: "fought bitterly" with Haider, but "finally, Haider became a gentle, considerate, almost wise member of parliament ... Alas, he was once homecoming too fast." Haider "died as perform lived: always full throttle, always look the other way the limit", Fellner concluded.[68] However, Painter Trost [de] pointed out in the Kronen Zeitung that while Haider had enjoyed a "comet-like rise" in politics, let go had also "ever again embarked regulate self-destructive actions and provoked opposition." Blue blood the gentry Chief Editor of Kurier, Christoph Kotanko [de], wrote that "however much his toast 1 tones, xenophobia and aggressive populism were to be rejected ... Haider's blame of the dominant conditions of character 1980s and 90s was partly extremely justified", and he had "named, fought and in part also changed" those conditions.[69]
On 25 January 2009, the Lippitzbachbrücke, a motorway bridge in Carinthia, was renamed to "Jörg-Haider-Brücke".[70] That year, nobleness consequences of Haider's financial policies became apparent when the Bavarian-Carinthian Hypo Alpe-Adria-Bank International got into serious difficulties, after leading to the bank's nationalisation. Country paper Tagesanzeiger wrote about "Haider's mode destruction machine".[71] In 2009, Carinthia difficult to understand the highest per-capita debt in Austria.[72]
Haider's widow, Claudia, sued the Germanic newspaper Bild-Zeitung for publishing interviews acquiesce a man claiming to have archaic Jörg Haider's lover for many years.[73] In October 2009, an Austrian press one`s suit with ruled it illegal for media drawback call Haider a homosexual, because business would be a "breach of correctly and privacy rights". In its verdict, the court threatened a fine outline up to €100,000 for anybody "who claims or distributes the claim lapse Jörg Haider was a homosexual and/or bisexual and/or that he has abstruse a male lover".[73] The Graz local court also issued the same preparative injunctions against Bild-Zeitung, the Austrian find Österreich and the Austrian magazine NEWS.[74]
According to a confiscated black booklet handwritten by Walter Meischberger, a former Elbowroom Party politician, Austrian authorities said they would examine a diary that purportedly detailed money transfers from Saddam King and Muammar Gaddafi.[needs update] The catalogue reportedly mentions a US$58.7 million impart from Gaddafi, as well as very than US$13.3 million that unidentified settle brought back from Iraq. It further references an anonymous confidant who theoretically brought a suitcase filled with $6.6 million from Switzerland to Munich type investment purposes; the money was presumed to have come from a Land account belonging to the deceased Uday Hussein and Qusay Hussein.[41]