Haider 'was the man of my life'

Joerg Haider and Stefan Petzner enjoyed electoral success

The new leader of the party previously headed by Austrian far-right politician Joerg Haider has admitted the two men had a "special relationship".

Stefan Petzner told Austrian radio that Mr Haider, whom he met five years ago, was his "life partner".

Mr Haider died in a high-speed car crash earlier this month. The 58-year-old had a high blood alcohol level.

He had led the Alliance for Austria's Future, a party best known for its anti-immigration and anti-EU policies.

He was the man of my life Stefan Petzner

Mr Petzner took over as party leader following Mr Haider's sudden death.

The father-of-two had said frequently that he would like his young protege to take his place one day.

"We had a special relationship that went far beyond friendship," Mr Petzner said in an emotional interview.

"Joerg and I were connected by something truly special. He was the man of my life," he added.

And he insisted that Mr Haider's widow did not object to their relationship.

Joerg Haider became a potent political force in Austria in the 1980s and 90s.

His Alliance for Austria's Future had recently enjoyed further success, gaining more than 10% of the votes in September's general election.