Mr Jorg Haider used his final speech as leader of Austria's far-right Freedom Party for a new denunciation of the country's EU partners for isolating Vienna because of the inclusion of his party in government. Speaking at a Freedon Party conference in Klagenfurt, he accused Austria's 14 partner states of practising "medieval exorcism" in trying to hound his party out of government. Mr Haider warned that the patience of Austria - one of the biggest net contributors to the EU - was being sorely tested.
"We are and want to be part of Europe," he told delegates at the conference in the Carinthian capital, where he remains provincial governor. "But not at any price."
Austria's most controversial post-war politician announced his plan to step down two months ago after 14 years, during which he rescued the party from near extinction and tripled its share of the vote.
Under his leadership, the Freedom Party returned to national government, entering a coalition with the conservative People's Party in February - a move which prompted Austria's EU partners to freeze bilateral political ties.
Mr Haider (50) is quitting at a time of record domestic popularity and unmatched international isolation. The sanctions were imposed because Austria's EU partners doubted the far right's commitment to democracy and respect for human rights.
In Vienna, some 100,000 people took part in a May Day rally organised by the opposition Social Democrats to protest at the Freedom Party's presence in government. A small group of protesters which had gathered outside the conference in Klagenfurt dispersed peacefully.
Mr Haider said he was stepping down to show that Freedom Party ministers were not his puppets and to give a new generation the chance to take charge.
His resignation did not mean a break with the party's past.
His successor, Ms Susanne Riess-Passer, who was elected with 91.5 per cent of the delegates' votes, made clear her leadership meant continuity.
"This is still Jorg Haider's party," she told delegates.
Ms Riess-Passer, Vice-Chancellor in the coalition, also kept up the increasingly vociferous campaign against the EU, which has included Freedom Party ministers threatening to delay payments to Brussels and using Austria's veto to delay reforms.
"The only crime we have committed is that we have formed a non-socialist government," she said.
European leaders have emphasised there is little prospect of the EU states altering their position so long as the Freedom Party remains in national government.
Despite his stated intention not to return to national politics, supporters and opponents alike believe Mr Haider has not given up his dream of one day making a comeback as chancellor.