False hope, the EU political elite breathe a sign of relief as far right leader Norbert Hofer was defeated in Austria but their joy was short lived as Italy’s PM quits after referendum defeat, the EU is in the process of getting ready for free fall

Dear All

Far-right candidate Norbert Hofer has lost the race for the Austrian presidency; the result was close 53% to 47%, in truth I didn’t think that Austria is quite there yet to elect Hofer.

Although the left are celebrating this victory, I believe further down the line that Austria will return a far right government when the plates shift, what is needed is more breakdown of social cohesion and terrorism.

Then and only then will movements like the Identitarian Movement of Austria be able to influence the public, although going for some time, they are in their developmental stage. They are learning the art and skills of political campaigning, they are building their networks; they are getting established.

The time of Norbert Hofer and people of the Identitarian Movement of Austria isn’t here yet.

The left make feel that this defeat stops far right politics in its tracks in Europe, they have miscalculated the feeling of people right across the continent, the right and the far right are growing.

The focus has now moved onto Italy, the political elite of the European Union are in trouble, as Italy’s Prime Minister Matteo Renzi announced his resignation after suffering a decisive defeat in his constitutional reform referendum. The upset in Italy has plunged the Europe to a 20 month low as the financial markets react to a disastrous referendum.
 
57% of voters had rejected the Italian Prime Minister’s plan to streamline the country’s system of government. Isn’t it strange that right across Europe that politicians are cutting jobs in local government, have you never wondered why they have all arrived at the same policies?

The victory in Italy is a people’s victory; it is an anti-establishment backlash sweeping much of Europe and America, a rejection of globalism and a reinforcement of the importance of sovereignty that allows people to hold their politicians to account.

Italian politics have always had a reputation for being volatile but anti-euro Beppe Grillo’s populist Five Star Movement have done Europe a great service, the fact that a comedian-turned politician can ride the same wave of discontent shows how serious the discontent is in Italy. This is the same kind of discontent which led to Brexit in the UK and put Donald Trump into the White House.

Having lost the referendum, Prime Minister Matteo Renzi who had pinned all his hopes on a result going his way has now gone, just like Zac Goldsmith, he took a political gamble and it blew up in his face.

Norbert Hofer was defeated in Austria but Matteo Renzi defeat in Italy, the difference is that Hofer isn’t going away, he isn’t giving up; the reason is that he and his supporters have a cause.

In France, the jury is still out on whether Marine Le Pen, the leader of France’s National Front can win the presidency, just like in Austria, I am not entirely sure that she can pull it off at this time, however, the terrorist attacks of Paris and Nice do add more weight to her campaign, if there are been a Paris style attack in Austria then I think we would be looking a new political landscape there.

Marine Le Pen said on Twitter about the Austrian defeat:

“Victory will be theirs in the next legislative elections.”

I would say there is a strong possible case for this to happen, the left will continue as is and the discontent will grow as will the work of the fledgling Identitarian movement of Austria, at that point whether it is Hofer or someone else, the Austrian will return a far right leader.

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University