New Austrian chancellor may be coming to Switzerland

The Austrian Chancellor, Wolfgang Schüssel (pictured), is intending to stick to a tradition whereby the heads of a new government come to Switzerland as their first foreign destination. The proposed visit could provoke controversy.

The Austrian Chancellor, Wolfgang Schüssel (pictured), is intending to stick to a tradition whereby the heads of a new government come to Switzerland as their first foreign destination. The proposed visit could provoke controversy.

A spokesman for the Chancellor in Vienna said it would be good if the tradition could be maintained as a sign of good neighbourliness. He described relations as excellent and said there was no reason for them to change.

Austria has faced increasing diplomatic isolation following the decision by Schüssel to form a new government with the far-right Freedom Party, led by Jörg Haider.

No date has been set for the visit to Berne. The Chancellor’s spokesman told the Swiss news agency the visit was not an immediate priority, and the Chancellor would have a full programme for the first 100 days.

While the European Union and other countries have been highly critical of the inclusion of the Freedom Party in government, the Swiss authorities have not threatened any sanctions. They have said, however, they will watch the situation in Vienna carefully.

From staff and wire reports