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Thousands attend Haider funeral | Thousands attend Haider funeral |
(30 minutes later) | |
Tens of thousands of mourners have lined the streets of the Austrian city of Klagenfurt for the funeral of the far-right politician, Joerg Haider. | Tens of thousands of mourners have lined the streets of the Austrian city of Klagenfurt for the funeral of the far-right politician, Joerg Haider. |
His body was taken in a procession from the provincial parliament to a square in the city, where friends and prominent politicians paid tribute. | His body was taken in a procession from the provincial parliament to a square in the city, where friends and prominent politicians paid tribute. |
Austria's president and chancellor were among the dignitaries who attended a requiem mass in Klagenfurt Cathedral. | Austria's president and chancellor were among the dignitaries who attended a requiem mass in Klagenfurt Cathedral. |
Mr Haider died in a car crash a week ago. He had been drinking alcohol. | Mr Haider died in a car crash a week ago. He had been drinking alcohol. |
The 58-year-old was driving alone after leaving a nightclub when his car crashed and overturned while travelling at more than twice the speed limit. | The 58-year-old was driving alone after leaving a nightclub when his car crashed and overturned while travelling at more than twice the speed limit. |
An official from his party, the Alliance for Austria's Future (BZO), said Mr Haider's blood alcohol level was well above the legal limit. | An official from his party, the Alliance for Austria's Future (BZO), said Mr Haider's blood alcohol level was well above the legal limit. |
Ceremonial funeral | Ceremonial funeral |
The accident occurred south of Klagenfurt, the capital of Carinthia, where Joerg Haider was the provincial governor for 11 years.The accident occurred near the city of Klagenfurt | |
The centre of Klagenfurt was sealed off for the funeral ceremonies and extra police were deployed to prevent any disruption by far-right protesters. | The centre of Klagenfurt was sealed off for the funeral ceremonies and extra police were deployed to prevent any disruption by far-right protesters. |
International guests included Sayf Gaddafi, the son of the Libyan leader, who was a close friend of Mr Haider, and a delegation from Italy's right-wing Northern League. | |
Mr Haider has been condemned by left-wing groups, and one prominent writer used an article in a leading Austrian newspaper to describe him as a fascist, the BBC's Kerry Skyring reports. | Mr Haider has been condemned by left-wing groups, and one prominent writer used an article in a leading Austrian newspaper to describe him as a fascist, the BBC's Kerry Skyring reports. |
The coffin, covered in wreaths, was borne in a military vehicle along the streets of the city. | The coffin, covered in wreaths, was borne in a military vehicle along the streets of the city. |
He was a man who could leave no-one cold, whether in a positive or a negative sense Alfred GusenbauerAustrian Chancellor In pictures: Joerg Haider's funeralObituary: Joerg Haider | |
Austria's Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer alluded to Mr Haider's controversial reputation in an address to the memorial service. | Austria's Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer alluded to Mr Haider's controversial reputation in an address to the memorial service. |
"He was a man who could leave no-one cold, whether in a positive or a negative sense," Mr Gusenbauer said. | "He was a man who could leave no-one cold, whether in a positive or a negative sense," Mr Gusenbauer said. |
Following the requiem mass, Mr Haider's body was taken to be cremated. His ashes were expected to be taken to a chapel in a valley where he lived just outside the city. | Following the requiem mass, Mr Haider's body was taken to be cremated. His ashes were expected to be taken to a chapel in a valley where he lived just outside the city. |
Mr Haider was known for his anti-immigration and anti-EU policies. | Mr Haider was known for his anti-immigration and anti-EU policies. |
The BZO was one of two right-wing parties that did better than expected in general elections last month, fuelling speculation of a possible role in a ruling coalition. | The BZO was one of two right-wing parties that did better than expected in general elections last month, fuelling speculation of a possible role in a ruling coalition. |
His deputy, Stefan Petzner, took over as head of the BZO after Mr Haider's death. | His deputy, Stefan Petzner, took over as head of the BZO after Mr Haider's death. |
Mr Haider was first elected as governor of Carinthia in 1989. He was forced to resign in 1991 after he made comments praising the employment policies of Nazi Germany. | Mr Haider was first elected as governor of Carinthia in 1989. He was forced to resign in 1991 after he made comments praising the employment policies of Nazi Germany. |
He was re-elected governor in 1999 and 2003. | He was re-elected governor in 1999 and 2003. |