Arnold Schwarzenegger as next Austrian president?

Hollywood's action legend Arnold Schwarzenegger could become the President of his home country Austria after his term as the Governor of California ends next year, a British newspaper has claimed.

Even Schwarzenegger has told his home country: "I'll be back... as President."

As he is prevented from running for American President because he wasn't born in the US, senior Austrian politicians have asked him to stand in the 2010 presidential elections if incumbent Heinz Fischer stands down,the Daily Star reported. Nikolaus Berlakovich of Austrian People's Party (VP) confirmed: "Yes, we are backing a Schwarzenegger candidacy. He is an excellent and extremely successful politician."

Officials have been tripping over themselves to voice their support for the 61-year-old, who has both American and Austrian citizenship.

"I raise my hat to Schwarzenegger. It is unbelievable what the man has made of himself," Franz Voves, the Governor of his home province in central Austria, was quoted by the British newspaper as saying.

And locals in Thal village, where Arnie grew up, are so keen to show their support they are demanding his old house be turned into a museum.

Some US political pundits say Schwarzenegger might stand for the US Senate -- but a pal said: "Being one of many has never appealed to him. Arnold liked to be at the top of the tree."