AUSTRIA: NEW COALITION GOVERNMENT SWORN IN скачать в хорошем качестве

AUSTRIA: NEW COALITION GOVERNMENT SWORN IN

(4 Feb 2000) Natural Sound Austria's president has sworn in a new government half composed of ministers from Joerg Haider's rightist party. Israel, opposed to Haider's past comments on the Nazi era, withdrew its ambassador and European countries began reducing relations in protest at the inauguration. In a brief ceremony, members of the new cabinet - six from Haider's Freedom Party and six from the conservative Austrian People's Party - swore their oaths of office to President Thomas Klestil. Heading the new government as chancellor is Wolfgang Schuessel, head of the People's Party. He, like the other coalition members, swore \"so help me God\" to respect the Austrian constitution and its laws before shaking hands with a somber-looking Klestil. Freedom Party member Suzanne Riess-Passer is vice chancellor. The ministries of finance, social affairs, defence, infrastructure and justice are also held by the Freedom Party. The People's Party holds the ministries of foreign affairs, economics, interior, education, and agriculture and environment. The swearing in occurred despite massive foreign opposition to Haider and his Freedom Party, which became the second most popular in Austria in part because of its anti-foreigner stance. Haider in the past praised Nazi policies and those who carried them out, although he later apologised for the remarks. Haider is not part of the new government and remains governor of the southern province of Carinthia. But critics fear his influence means he will be able to exert pressure on government policies from the wings. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...