Live Thread: Italian Referendum and Austrian Presidential Election

The Washington Post interviews Matteo Salvini, the head of Italy’s Northern League, who talks about Trump and who shares our hopes for improved foreign relations with Russia:

“Q: How did Donald Trump’s victory affect the discussion in Italy?

A: Aside from my personal joy, that went to show that one can win against everyone, against the media, the economic system, the artists, the intellectuals, the singers and even against the lobbies within one’s own party. It’s a sign that the people can decide, that it can choose. This from a political perspective. Then there are concrete choices. Good relations with Russia are great news. Putting a stop to the [Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership] is great news. Defending American industry against the invasion of Chinese products. Renegotiating the role of NATO. And a similar approach on the issue of immigration. This is all great news.

Q: What kind of connections are you making with other right-wing parties elsewhere in Europe?

A: In Brussels we belong to a group that includes the [French anti-immigrant] National Front, [Austrian nationalist right-wing leader Heinz-Christian] Strache’s Freedom Party, [Dutch Euroskeptic Geert] Wilders’s Party for Freedom, the Romanians, the Poles, and we’re trying to form an alliance in order to change Europe. For instance, should Norbert Hofer win in Austria on Sunday, it would be more great news. …”

The New York Times interviews Norbert Hofer who talks about Trump and improved foreign relations with Russia:

“Mr. Trump’s victory, Mr. Hofer said, has eroded any lingering inhibitions that Austrians may have had about openly supporting his candidacy, though that remained to be seen.

“With Trump’s victory, that barrier has loosened a bit,” Mr. Hofer said with evident satisfaction. …

But if Mr. Hofer has foes, he says, they are the misguided politicians who allow jihadists disguised as migrants into Austria and elsewhere in Europe, where his party’s leader sees “Islamification” underway.

In the interview, he repeatedly expressed hope that Mr. Trump’s victory will lead to relations’ being mended between the United States and Russia.

Sanctions against Moscow over its seizure of Crimea and meddling in Ukraine should be lifted, he said, “because they have not moved anything politically,” yet “have affected the economy and destroyed jobs.”

Vienna, a neutral meeting place for the Cold War superpowers, should once again host peace-seeking summits and foster economic cooperation with Russia, he said.

“If people and businesses work together economically, there is a greater understanding for the Russian and American and Austrian souls,” Mr. Hofer said.”