The Austrian Freedom Party leader, Mr Jorg Haider, will this morning head a delegation to the Vatican in a controversial visit that has already prompted protests from Jewish groups, left-wing politicians, ex-partisan fighters and gay groups alike whilst at the same time exacerbating tensions between the Italian government and opposition.
In his role of governor of the southern Austrian province of Carinthia, Mr Haider will head a Carinthinian delegation due to be formally received in the Vatican in recognition of the province's donation of a splendid 80 feet high, Christmas tree that currently stands in St. Peter's Square, complete with armed guards.
Although the Vatican has been at pains to point out this week that its doors are "always open", the visit has been widely criticised. Ms Tullia Zevi, a senior figure in the Italian Jewish community, pointing to the apparent contradiction between the Pope's own Jubilee Year message of Mea Culpa on the historical treatment of Jews by Catholics, on the one hand, and Mr Haider's xenophobic political programme on immigration, on the other.
The Christmas tree was in fact officially donated three years ago, before Mr Haider reached international prominence. But he has done little to ease the controversy this week. First, he dismissed those opposed to his visit as "hysterical communists" whilst he also took Italy to task for allowing too many illegal immigrants enter the EU by the back door.
That remark has prompted an row between Italian parties. This, of course, has been grist to the Haider mill. By his mere impending presence, he has set Judaism against the Vatican, Senator Bossi against President Ciampi and the government against the opposition. For Mr Haider, today making his 11th visit to Italy in the last six months, it has been a week of mission accomplished. He has again made the headlines. . . and all because of a Christmas tree.