Madam President, Mr President-in-Office of the Council, Representatives of the Commission, it is a black day for Austria and for Europe. Not even Mr Sichrovsky’s web of lies or Mrs Stenzel’s words of appeasement can do anything to change that. For the day has dawned: two irresponsible politicians, consumed with a lust for power, are selling Austria’s image, political role, and to some extent even its economic interests, down the river! (Applause, heckling) They are trading this in for a head of government’s position and for membership of a government. They are just as prepared to take on board the fact that Austria will go from being a revered country to a reviled one, as they are its threatened isolation and thus to some extent that of its citizens. I believe – as do many who for years have campaigned against Haider and his brand of politics, and especially my colleagues in the Social Democratic delegation in this Chamber – that the various measures announced by the international community, insofar as they do not have any bearing on the government and its representatives, are grave and also inappropriate. However, my criticism – and I freely admit this – my rage, is directed exclusively against those who have provoked these reactions and continue to do so, Messrs Schüssel and Haider and their parties, ... (Applause) ... and that includes their representatives in this Parliament. Mr Poettering, it is interesting to note that you are in almost as difficult a position as I am, albeit for different reasons, for you are having to defend something that goes against your convictions. You are having to defend a certain Mr Schüssel, you are having to consort with Schüssel as he is today and who, as I understand it, was recently told not to come to the representatives of the Christian Democratic party’s summit meeting. The argument that Mr Poettering himself used has come into play, i.e. that it would only be possible to deprive Haider of his mystique if he were to be integrated into the political system. However, in my view, he will be no more able or willing to be integrated into this, into our political system, and into the Europe of today, than any other extreme right-wing movement. Anyone who feeds on prejudice towards foreigners and ethnic minorities and gives succour to these prejudices, whose programme features parochialism and anti-liberalism, who displays loutish behaviour and arrogance in their international relations, and who has never yet distanced themselves clearly and unequivocally from National Socialism, has neither the intention nor inclination to integrate! (Applause) This historic weight of guilt falls on the shoulders of the Conservatives for having consorted with the wolf of their own free will and waiting to be devoured. That is how the wolf – albeit on account of the self-sacrifice of the ÖVP – is sustained rather than kept in check. I understand that Europe and the civilised world wants to have as little as possible to do with such a government. However, by the same token, there is another Austria, the one where umpteen thousand people demonstrated against the FPÖ having any involvement in government, and who will continue to demonstrate against this government. I urge you to support this Europe and to support and help this Austria! (Applause) The more powerful this Europe becomes and the more vigilant it is towards authoritarian tendencies in the Europe of today, the more successful we will be in striking at the roots of right-wing extremism. For Europe is and will remain the most potent guarantee we have against xenophobia and demagogy, or even against a relapse into barbarism. Please support the Austrian people against this government! (Applause)

Political group: PSE