Personal statement about the forming of the new government in Austria by Federal Chancellor Dr. Wolfgang Schüssel The greater part of the Austrian public estimated the result of the elections from October 3, 1999 as failure of the Social Democrats, who had provided the chancellor for the past 30 years: They forfeited 5 percent of their former votes and lost 6 mandates in parliament. The smaller party of government, the Conservative Party, managed to keep its number of mandates, while the oppositional Freedom Party caught up with the Conservatives and contrived a surplus of 415 votes at an equal level of 52 mandates (out of 183) per party. Foto: Christian Jungwirth/ÖVP   With this rejection not only of the great coalition between Social Democratic and Conservative Party that had lasted for 13 years, but of out-dated structures and antiquated political, economic and social systems in Austria as well, the voters apparently demanded a new political orientation in our country. Our negotiations with the former coalition partner were doomed to failure because of the lack of assent to a common government programme from among the Social Democrats. When it became apparent that the minority government introduced by the Social Democrats would not dispose of a stable majority in parliament, I decided, with all possible support from my party and the approval of the Federal President, to start negotiating with the Freedom Party—in the interest of Austria's stability and its European duties. This Freedom Party represents as democratic party more than 1.2 million voters in parliament. This action of the Conservative Party has to be seen in the light of the long tradition of its work for Austria; a tradition where the party has always proved itself willing to put the country's interests before its own. Having granted democracy, freedom, human rights, market economy and western values since 1945 as well as having led Austria into the EU in its duty as European Party, the Conservative Party now commits itself to a responsible course to complete the integration of our country in the community of western values on all levels. This sensible course is unconditionally shared by the Freedom Party. We have negotiated an ambitious government programme in cooperation with our coalition partner; a part of which we have already realized satisfyingly in these first weeks since our inauguration. We have resolved to discuss one important topic every other week and to pass a resolution about the elaborated results instantly. The public perception and the medial coverage in Austria are at the moment dominated by the international wave of protest and the demonstrations against the new government. The greatest part of the international resentment alludes to the person of Jörg Haider and his public utterances. The attacks—especially the indignation of the EU Foreign Ministers—also aim at the Republic of Austria. The assailants impute to our country the refusal to consider human rights, democracy and racist tendencies adequately. Especially these arguments are unfounded and can be broached by the following facts: 1. Austria can boast the largest quota of foreigners within the EU; 2. Austria as a small country has also proved its willingness to incorporate refugees in emergency situations in the past (e.g. the crises in Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Bosnia and in the Kosovo); 3. Austria can globally be counted to the nations with the readiest benefactors and donors—a clear indication for its solidarity and compassion; 4. Austria seldom has to deplore attacks on foreigners (in comparison to other countries that are at the moment condemning us); 5. Austria has established one of the most rigorous legislations concerning the prevention of re-emerging national socialistic activities 6. Austria holds a good place in international comparison with regard to the respect of human dignity and human rights (e.g. Amnesty International); 7. Austria has a functioning democracy with one of the highest voting rates worldwide; 8. Austria does not have a considerable, politically active right-wing radicalism compared to other countries; 9. International comparative studies show that Austria's share of xenophobia and antisemitism is not higher than those of the other Western European democracies. Beyond that this share is in a process of decrease; 10. The official negotiations concerning the Eastern Expansion of the EU have been initiated during the Austrian EU presidency. Many of the critics now assailing Austria because of their fear of our delaying this process then criticised our breakneck speed. We can ascertain with satisfaction not only that many of our European friends and partners are cooperating with us in an unchanged manner, but that the formerly broad front of refusal is now receding slowly in some nations of the EU as well. It is our declared aim to continue our renewing efforts for a future-orientated development of our country quietly and calmly. In this sense we ask all our fellow-countrymen and also all the foreign observers to analyse the work of the new government with fairness and judge it in relation to the realisation of its plans. Dr. Wolfgang Schüssel