Heinz-Christian Strache resigned as vice-chancellor over a video that purportedly showed him discussing fixing state contracts in return for favours. 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. Neither Salvini nor Le Pen addressed the Austrian scandal directly. Salvini and his allies hope to emerge as the fourth or even third largest bloc in the European parliament after this week's election, moving decisively into the mainstream. "Next up are Salvini, Le Pen, Orban and the rest of the far-right puppets on the Moscow leash."

Source: CBC News May 19, 2019 11:43 UTC