Africa Map

African Press Agency

African Press Agency Logo
   

 Home
 Country Profile
 Useful Links
 Contact us

Home

Europe/PoliticiansBack
[Published: Sunday May 19 2019]

 European politicians urge voters to reject far right

VIENNA 19 May (ANA) - Politicians from Europe’s mainstream parties called on voters to stand against the far right, after a video sting brought down the leader of Austria’s Freedom Party, hurting the momentum of nationalists days before a European parliamentary election. 
Austria’s president called on Sunday for the country to hold a snap general election in September, seen as the quickest timetable possible, after the resignation of Vice Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache brought down the ruling coalition. 
Strache quit on Saturday after video emerged showing him discussing fixing state contracts in return for financial and political favours with a woman posing as the niece of a Russian oligarch. He accepted that the video was “catastrophic” although he denied breaking the law or following through on discussions. 
Strache’s far-right Freedom Party, part of Austria’s ruling coalition since 2017, has been one of the most successful groups among the anti-immigrant and nationalists that have surged across Europe in recent years. 
Mainstream leaders across the continent made clear they hoped his downfall would have an impact far beyond Austria in the May 23-26 vote for the European Parliament. The Freedom Party is part of an alliance of European nationalist parties led by Matteo Salvini of Italy’s League, who held a mass meeting in Milan on Saturday with Marine Le Pen of France’s National Rally. 
“A few months ago, Marine Le Pen was singing the praises of Austrian Vice Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache, saying how formidable he was,” French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire said. 
“(Strache) has been forced to resign. We find out why: that he was caught trying to sell his services to foreign forces. Behind this nationalist movement is a submission to foreign forces,” Le Maire told BFM TV. 
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Saturday: “We’re having to deal with populist movements that in many areas are contemptuous of (European) values, who want to destroy the Europe of our values. We have to stand up to this decisively.”(ANA)
FA/ANA/19 May 2019------
 
 

North South News website

Advertise banner

News icon EU/Kenya/Pesticides
News icon UN/Israel/Gza
News icon US/Israel/Gaza
News icon Pakistan/ISI Interference
News icon EU/North Africa
News icon Senegal/Elections
News icon Israel/Gaza Massacre
News icon Russia/NATO
News icon Gaza/Victims Number
News icon Kenya/Uganda

AFRICAN PRESS AGENCY Copyright © 2005 - 2007