Anti-Nazi group demonstrates at Haider debate

ANGRY protesters greeted the controversial former leader of the far right Austrian Freedom Party as he arrived to speak at a university debate in Dublin last night.

Members of the Anti-Nazi League picketed Trinity College’s Graduate Memorial Hall as Jorg Haider spoke at the Philosophical Society debate. Still regarded as the de facto leader, his party advocates stringent anti-immigration policies and helped introduce them in Austria after sensationally grabbing power in a coalition government three years ago.

Mr Haider, a provincial governor, has publicly praised the SS and Hitler’s employment policies, but has argued he should be able to make comments on the Second World War without being labelled a Nazi.

He was invited to speak at a debate on the future of Europe and the importance of the nation state, sharing the stage with, among others, former Labour Party leader Ruairí Quinn.

Mr Quinn said: “The reason I am participating in the debate is because I believe some balance should be provided and would like to challenge the views put forward by Mr Haider.”

Roger Middleton, society president, defended inviting Mr Haider amid charges that his inclusion on the panel helped legitimise far right views.

“It is controversial,” Mr Middleton said. “But he’s one of the best known Euro-sceptics and that’s why he was invited.

“It’s about the broadest perspective of views and it should not follow that inviting Jorg Haider is in any way an approval of his views. I would not want to comment on what he actually believes. Personally he’s not my cup of tea, but he’s an elected politician prominent on a Europe-wide basis,” Mr Middleton added.

Donal McCarry, of the Anti-Nazi League, an offshoot of the Socialist Workers’ Party, accused the society of “making fascist politics respectable”.

“I do not know whether it’s sensationalism on their part or whether it’s more serious,” Mr McCarry said. The Freedom Party swept into coalition power in early 2000 after winning 27% of the Austrian vote, but Mr Haider stepped aside as leader when the European Union issued a series of sanctions against the country.

Party infighting led to the collapse of the coalition last year and in the elections that followed in November the Freedom Party polled less than 10% of the votes. Mr Haider remains governor of Carinthia despite his party coming third place in the election.