AUSTRIAN novelist and playwright Elfriede Jelinek was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature yesterday.

Austrian novelist and playwright Elfriede Jelinek, whose works feature themes of feminist struggle between men and women, was 'in despair' after winning the Nobel Prize in literature today.

A senior parliamentary official today defeated a candidate backed by right-wing populist Joerg Haider in a presidential election that showed voter dissatisfaction with the country’s government.

A senior parliamentary official today defeated a rival backed by right-wing populist Joerg Haider in a presidential election that also indicated voter dissatisfaction with the country’s government, preliminary results showed.

Right wing extremist Joerg Haider was easily re-elected governor of the Austrian province of Carinthia today, a formality after his Freedom Party defeated rival Socialists in provincial elections.

JOERG HAIDER’S political star appeared on the rise yesterday, with preliminary results showing Europe's most popular rightist holding on to a political post he needs to reclaim national prominence for his party.

Joerg Haider powered his political party to a stunning win in his home province in Austria today, confounding pundits and strengthening the odds for a national comeback for the controversial rightist known for anti-Jewish slurs and a friendship with Saddam Hussein.

HOPES that Ireland might again be in the running to stage the UEFA 2008 European Championships have been dashed after a far-right Austrian politician pledged cash to make sure a vital stadium is built.

Joerg Haider failed today to recapture the top post of Austria’s far-right Freedom Party.

THROWING Austrian politics into fresh turmoil, far-rightist Joerg Haider has announced he will stay on as a provincial governor and Freedom Party member, hours after vowing to resign when the party was thrashed in weekend elections.

Austrian far right politician Joerg Haider today said he would remain in politics, less then a day after taking responsibility for the disastrous showing of his party in general elections and announcing he was stepping down as governor of Carinthia province.

A DAY after his far-right Freedom Party suffered a crushing defeat in Austria’s general election, Joerg Haider said yesterdayhe was planning to step down as governor of Carinthia province, hinting he would leave the political scene altogether.

A day after his far-right Freedom Party suffered a crushing defeat in Austria’s general election, Joerg Haider said he was planning to step down as governor of Carinthia province, hinting he would leave the political scene altogether.

Right-winger Joerg Haider's Freedom Party stands a good chance of renewing its government coalition with the conservatives.

THE conservative party of Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel surged to emerge strongest in Austria’s general elections yesterday, according to preliminary results that showed right-winger Joerg Haider’s party took a pounding.

The conservative party of Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel surged to emerge strongest from general elections in Austria today, according to preliminary results that showed a pounding at the polls for the party of right-wing Joerg Haider.

Austrians chose from a handful of parties in parliamentary elections today after a lacklustre campaign focused largely on who would pick up the disaffected voters of right-wing Joerg Haider, whose popularity has plummeted in recent months.

CHANCELLOR Wolfgang Schuessel yesterday called for early elections to end a government crisis triggered by the resignation of four key leaders of the rightist Freedom Party, the junior partner in his coalition.

Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel today called for early elections after resignations left a coalition partner, the far fight Freedom party, in disarray

Austrian Vice-Chancellor Susanne Riess-Passer and two other Freedom Party ministers have resigned from their government posts tonight

Austria's far-right Freedom Party has withdrawn its call for early elections.

Many voters have abandoned the far-right Freedom Party of Joerg Haider in elections for Vienna's city hall.

The Italian government has scheduled national elections for May 13 and says municipal elections would be held the same day.

Former far-right Freedom Party leader Joerg Haider has been cleared over accusations that he bribed police officers and tax officials.