Jörg Haider, 2000 News

Austrian politician, sent shockwaves through Europe and beyond when his far-right Freedom Party joined the government. His party formed a coalition with the conservative People's Party and amassed a 104-seat majority in the 183-seat Parliament, ousting the Social Democrats from power. Haider, considered by many to be a xenophobe, has made several pro-Nazi remarks, praising Hitler's labor policies and SS troops. Some European Union members froze ministerial-level contacts with Austria; Israel and the United States withdrew their ambassadors. Haider resigned from the party in Feb. amid the controversy, but remains governor of Carinthia.