Freedom party spokesman on Haider threatens to quit

Описание: (25 Nov 2002)

1. Joerg Haider leaving Austrian Freedom Party offices in parliament, walking through press
2. Haider in car window, car drives away
3. News conference by chairman of Freedom Party Herbert Haupt
4. Press
5. SOUNDBITE (German) Herbert Haupt, Chairman of the Austrian Freedom Party:
"Some people questioned his (Haider's) position and that's why we called this meeting to clear up this question for good. I'm very interested in clearing this problem up because anyone in this party who thinks he can raise his own profile by criticising party members, instead of political figures from other parties, has no place in the FPO. (Pauses for question.) The governor stays as governor of Carinthia as long as the people of Carinthia vote for him."
6. Cameraman
7. Haupt leaving news conference

STORYLINE:

The far-right Austrian Freedom Party gave its populist politician Joerg Haider a vote of confidence to remain governor of Carinthia province on Monday.

The move came not long after Haider offered his resignation following the party's crushing defeat in parliamentary elections and political infighting.

Haider, who led the party until May 1, 2000, met members of the FPO's leadership in their parliament offices on Monday afternoon to discuss his resignation.

Freedom Party chairman Herbert Haupt, who attended the meeting, said Haider would remain in his position as governor, his most politically important post, as long as he retained local support.

He criticised other politicians within the FPO for trying to further their own careers by damaging Haider's standing.

Haider did not comment on his proposal to resign as he left the parliament building for Carinthia where he
will hold talks to establish the level of support in his local party.

From a 27 percent showing in the 1999 elections - a vote that served as a springboard into government - Haider's party plunged to just over 10 percent in Sunday's ballot.

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