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Austria's far-right Freedom Party has withdrawn its call for early elections.