The leader of Austria's extreme-right Freedom Party, Dr Jorg Haider, has denied suggestions that he is an anti-Semite and opposed to the enlargement of the EU.
At a press conference in Strasbourg yesterday, Dr Haider said much of the international media coverage following his party's election success last weekend was "not well informed".
He said the concern of Israel and Jewish communities throughout Europe was unwarranted. "In the 20 years of my political life, I have not made a single anti-Semitic comment."
While he was not opposed to EU enlargement, he believed it should not happen for 10 years, so the process could take place properly. He feared Austria's proximity to eastern Europe would expose it to the effects of "labour dumping".
His party, he added, favoured granting illegal immigrants citizenship, but only after a period of 10 years and with proof of a "clean police record".