Vienna - Austria's grand coalition formally resigned yesterday but remained in office on a caretaker basis, while the far-right leader, Mr Jorg Haider, staked his claim to be part of the next government.
Mr Haider, whose Freedom Party made historic gains and became the second-largest party in Sunday's election, said his success did not mean Austria had swung to the right and he promised an "open, liberal and tolerant" political system.
The Social Democratic Chancellor, Mr Viktor Klima, submitted his government's resignation to President Thomas Klestil, who has already begun to explore coalition options with party leaders.