Haider, Jörg (1950—)

Jörg Haider is the current governor of the Austrian state of Carinthia, the former head of the so-called Austrian Freedom Party (Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs/FPÖ), and founding member of the BZÖ (Bündnis Zukunft Österreich/Alliance for the Future of Austria). After taking over the Freedom Party chair in September 1986, Haider began a swift ascendancy in the FPÖ that found its climax in the 1999 elections (the party gained 27% of the votes and the second place behind the Social Democrats). After forming a coalition with the Christian-conservative Peoples Party (Österreichische Volkspartei/ÖVP) and resigning as head of the FPÖ (facing massive pressure because of former statements made about the Third Reich and foreigners), he continued his position as governor of Carinthia. Continual losses in regional elections and ...