Anti-migrant Hardliners in Europe Celebrate Trump Victory
Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election was celebrated by European politicians who have taken a hard line on migration.
The success of Trump’s populist campaign, including pledges to curb immigration and stop accepting Syrian refugees, could embolden anti-migrant politicians in Europe.
Among the first leaders to congratulate Trump was Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban, who fiercely opposes the entry of refugees into his country.
Trump’s election was also welcomed by the leaders of far-right parties in several European countries, where their growing support ahead of 2017 elections has unnerved the political status quo, including the leader of France’s National Front, Marine le Pen, and the Alternative for Germany party.
“We also will give our country back to the people of the Netherlands,” tweeted Dutch Freedom Party leader Geert Wilders.
Austria’s Freedom Party, whose presidential candidate Norbert Hofer faces a close election next month, also drew parallels with Trump’s victory.
“Bit by bit, the political left and the out-of-touch and corrupt establishment is being punished by voters and driven from the seats of power. That’s a good thing, because the law comes from the people,” party leader Heinz-Christian Strache wrote on Facebook.
Political Rift Escalates Between E.U. and Turkey
Turkish and European Union leaders exchanged ultimatums over the country’s membership of the bloc, further exacerbating their strained relationship.
Turkey and the E.U. agreed a deal in March to curb refugee boats to Europe. Among the terms of the deal was accelerated visa liberalization and memberships talks for Turkey.
But Turkey’s crackdown on dissent following a July coup attempt has imperiled the talks, and the European Commission published a highly critical report of the country’s progress on November 9.
“It is certainly not heading in the European direction,” European Commissioner Johannes Hahn said. “It is time Ankara tells us what they really want.”
Meanwhile, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned the E.U. against ending talks.
“You know those 3 million refugees in Turkey? They say there is a problem,” he said. “What if the negotiations end and they open the gates, where would we put those 3 million refugees? That is their worry. That is why they cannot come to the end point.”
Pakistan Deports ‘Afghan Girl’ Sharbat Gula
Pakistan has deported Sharbat Gula, whose 1984 portrait became a famous National Geographic cover, to Afghanistan.
Gula was convicted last week of obtaining a fake Pakistani ID, the last resort of many Afghans in Pakistan who are unable to register as refugees.
Pakistan has stepped up pressure on over 2 million Afghans in the country, pushing nearly 400,000 to leave in recent months.
Gula’s fame made her a political symbol – Afghan president Ashraf Ghani personally greeted her on her return and promised she would have dignity and security in Afghanistan.
Gula herself was visibly unhappy as she was escorted over the border, looking back and whispering good wishes to the people of Pakistan, officials told AP.
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