Brexit, Nexit, Frexit… it’s catchy

LONDON: Britain’s vote to leave the European Union fired up populist Eurosceptic parties across the continent yesterday, giving fresh voice to their calls to leave the bloc or the euro.

Right-wing and anti-immigrant parties in the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and France demanded referendums on membership of the union, while Italy’s 5-Star movement said it would pursue its own proposal for a vote on the euro.

Geert Wilders, leader of the Dutch anti-immigrant PVV party, said he would make a Dutch referendum on EU membership a central theme of his campaign to become prime minister in next year’s parliamentary election.

“I congratulate the British people for beating the political elite in both London and Brussels and I think we can do the same,” Wilders said. “We should have a referendum about a Nexit soon.”

France’s far right National Front also called for a French referendum, cheering a Brexit vote it hopes can boost its Eurosceptic agenda.

Party leader Marine Le Pen celebrated the result by displaying the British flag on her Twitter page. “Victory for freedom!” she said.

Her deputy, Florian Philippot said: “Our turn now #Brexit #Frexit.”

Le Pen said last month that if she won next year’s French presidential election she would immediately start negotiations on a series of sovereignty issues including the single currency. If those failed, she would ask voters to back leaving the EU.

The populist anti-immigration Danish People’s Party, an ally of Denmark’s right-leaning government, also called for a referendum.

“I believe that the Danes should have a referendum on whether we want to follow Britain or keep things the way we have it now,” party leader Kristian Thulesen Dahl said.

Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen rejected the calls.

In Sweden, the anti-immigration party the Sweden Democrats, which has the support of around 17 percent of voters, said it would step up pressure for change.

Italy’s second most popular party, the opposition 5-Star Movement described the Brexit vote as a lesson in democracy and promised to pursue its own proposal for an Italian referendum on the euro. The party, considered a genuine contender for government at the next general election, wants Italy to hold a “consultative” referendum on whether to remain in the euro zone.

The right-wing Northern League was more outspoken. “Thank you Great Britain, next it is our turn,” leader Matteo Salvini said. – Reuters

BACKING OFF: Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron puts his arm around his wife Samantha after speaking outside 10 Downing Street yesterday. Cameron says he will resign by the time of the party conference later this year after Britain voted to leave...