Free Republic

MATTEO SALVINI's Lega Nord (League) Party has claimed a convincing European Parliament victory, in a shock result in Italy. The group has around 32 percent of the vote so far on the night, way ahead of the Democratic Party. Interior minister Matteo Salvini leads League, which came third in the 2018 general election. Following his victory, Mr Salvini said in Milan: “A new Europe is born. “I am proud that the League is participating in this new European renaissance.” He said previously: “As far as I'm concerned, if the League wins nothing changes in Italy, everything will change in Europe,...

“Hands off the crucifixes or you will be in trouble,” says controversial Northern League mayor, Massimo Bitonci, as he embarks on a ‘new crusade’ in favor of placing a crucifix in all schools and public buildings…while banning Muslim prayer in them. The first Venetian citizen in fact announced that the municipality will worry to buy and to supply all schools and public offices of crucifixes needed that should be exposed. “Now in all buildings and schools there will be quite a mandatory crucifix given by the municipality. And woe betide anyone who touches “Bitonci explained from his facebook profile, on...

A leading Italian senator has been chastised by Premier Enrico Letta for likening the country’s first black Cabinet minister to an orangutan, the latest high-profile racist episode in a nation grappling with immigration. … (Roberto) Calderoli, the Senate’s vice-president and a leader of the anti-immigrant Northern League party, later said he was making a joke and meant no offense to Cecile Kyenge, a Congolese-born doctor who is the country’s immigration minister. …

Europe's far right parties are considering forming a pan-European movement. Filip Dewinter, the leader of an extremist separatist party in Belgium, told the Vienna-based News on Thursday that they were considering creating an extreme right grouping in the European Parliament. This would encompass Austria's Freedom Party, Italy's Lega Nord, France's National Front, the Dutch New Right Party and Dewinter's own Vlaams Belang - all strongly anti-immigrant. Dewinter said he is considering Jörg Haider, leader of Austria's Freedom Party, to be the head of the movement. "I've had several talks with Jörg Haider and have the feeling that he's interested in...