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Ignoring International Warnings, Austria's President Approves New Coalition Government with Right-Wing Freedom Party

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BERNARD SHAW, CNN ANCHOR: Austria's president ignored international warnings Thursday and approved a new coalition government that includes the right-wing Freedom Party. Party leader Joerg Haider's anti-immigrant views and past statements praising Nazi Germany could lead to diplomatic isolation for Austria.

CNN's Alessio Vinci reports.

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ALESSIO VINCI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The president's signoff came after the two coalition partners spent much of their day trying to convince him and the rest of the world that their government was Austria's best option.

To that end, Joerg Haider, leader of the right-wing Freedom Party and Wolfgang Schuessel, leader of the Conservative People's Party, signed a declaration committing the government to democracy and European values and denouncing Austria's Nazi past.

Earlier, the two men offered President Thomas Klestil a list of ministers that did not include Mr. Haider himself and named Schuessel chancellor.

At a joint press conference, Haider told reporters his party is a movement that people can trust.

JOERG HAIDER, LEADER OF THE FREEDOM PARTY: The Freedom Party's an interesting political movement, attractive for young people, but not a radical racist or xenophobia movement and, personal, as the leader of this movement, I have served in Austria through 20 years in different functions. I was a part of many governments on the regional level, and in all functions, I did a good job.

VINCI (on camera): The question on many people's mind here is to what extent will the right-wing leader Joerg Haider be able to influence government policies while remaining outside the cabinet.

(voice-over): In an interview with CNN before the president signed off on the government, Schuessel said clearly he will be the man in charge.

WOLFGANG SCHUESSEL, AUSTRIAN PEOPLE'S PARTY: We have a program. I can absolutely stick to that program. I can defend it internally and externally and Joerg Haider will be what he is: governor of Carinthia.

VINCI: For his part, Haider said he plans to return to the southern state of Carinthia, where he is the governor.

Alessio Vinci, CNN, Vienna.

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