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"The Idea Matters." In his writing and lectures, Otto sounded far from autocratic, sought to define "monarchy's place in the atomic age." Said he: "The new form of monarchy might well be elective-from the judiciary, perhaps. Its primary duty would be the maintenance of the rule of law. It is the idea that matters, not the people who once were kings." But Otto had little sympathy with the leveling influences of socialism. "We have arrived at a bureaucracy of welfare and insurance against everything, which may well turn reason into nonsense," he wrote. "There is a danger of a new caste arising out of a classless societ-those in power."
Two years ago, Otto suddenly announced his willingness to abide by the provisions of the Habsburg Law and sought to re-enter Austria. But Austria's coalition government, balanced between the 81 parliamentary seats held by the conservative People's Party and the 76 seats held by the Socialists, refused to act on the petition in the face of vehement Socialist protests that Ot to's political ideas were "fantastic" and that his declaration of loyalty was inadequate. Otto's attorney took the case to the Administrative Court, which fortnight ago upheld the legality of his declaration over the government's rejection.
Pushbutton. The People's Party, while far from eager to see Otto back home, was willing to abide by the court ruling. Not so the Socialists. "This court has replaced the parliamentary organ," said Socialist Foreign Minister Bruno Kreisky. Socialist leaders hinted a nationwide rail and electrical strike if Otto tried to cross the border into Austria. "All we have to do," said Kreisky, "is push a button."
In Parliament, the Socialists joined with the eight-man delegation of the splinter right-wing Liberal Party and forced a resolution demanding that the government prepare a bill that could return ultimate judgment on all Habsburg Law cases to Parliament. The Liberals lent their support to the Socialists, however, only on the condition that the bill not be retroactive and that Otto would not be barred from returning home.-
The crisis imperiled the 18-year coalition between the People's Party and the Socialists, who kept threatening to freeze out their old partners by forming a new coalition with the Liberals. Even if the old coalition survives, the betting was that enough trouble had been stirred up to require new national elections soon. While most Austrians retain mellow feelings toward the Habsburgs, they would just as soon not be bothered by Otto's problem. "Why should we go back to where we finished 40 years ago?" asked Helmut Qualtinger, famed Vienna cabaret satirist. "I think that as a matter of taste, Otto would not want to come back-not if he loves his country."
*Also unsettled is the question of the Habsburg fortune in Austria, which amounts to some $30 million, mostly in estates. The lands are now held in trusteeship by the Austrian Republic.