ABSTRACT
The main political topic in 2000 was the establishment of the Freedom Party (FPO)-People's Party (OVP) government in February. After the elections of 3 October 1999, the Socialists (SPO) was still the strongest political party, followed by the FPO and the OVP. What followed the Austrian formation of government were many reactions from other countries. The other fourteen European Union (EU)-member states implemented bilateral measures in which they urged to minimize relations with Austria and not to support Austrian candidates for international jobs. The United States and Canada supported these bilateral measures; Israel withdrew its ambassador from Vienna. Throughout the first half of the year 2000, these bilateral measures—often referred to as "sanctions" in Austria—were the main topic of Austrian politics. At the EU summit in Feira Austria tried to promote itself with Sachertorte, beer, and wine; the foreign minister pointed out that Sachertorte was not poisonous and that it was as nice as the Austrians.
