The fallout of popular anger emanating from Europe’s refugee crisis, which may have moderated in recent weeks following Europe’s desperate attempts to bribe Turkey to keep as many refugees in its borders as possible (unleashing the era of unprecedented Turkish leverage over European sovereigns, including Germany and the Netherlands) continued today with a dramatic result from the first round of Austria’s presidential election, where initial results showed that the candidate of the Freedom Party, Austria’s right-wing, anti-immigrant party has swept his competition, gathering over 35% of the vote and leaving the other five candidates far behind.
Austrian far right Freedom Party (FPOe) presidential candidate Norbert
Hofer during the final election rally in Vienna, Austria, April 22, 2016
Among the losers were the hopefuls nominated by the government coalition, reflecting significant voter dissatisfaction with the country’s political status quo.
Interesting how seeking to protect one’s country from being invaded and overrun is now makes one “right wing.”