Alex Harrowell of AFOE isn’t the only person concerned about the recent resurgence of reactionary xenophobia in Italy. Recently a research fellow from a French think tank I was speaking to drew a direct link between European immigration policies and the “Clash of Civilizations” scenario. He made particular mention of Italy, and called what’s going on there “very disturbing.” Harrowell argues that the European Commission should make itself heard, along the lines of its official sanctions against Austria for admitting an extreme right party to its coalition government. This could be an opportunity for Nicolas Sarkozy to pivot back to human rights during France’s EU presidency, but according to AFOE’s P O Neill, he’s too busy right now trying to mount a populist attack on the VAT on fuel, a move that would need Brussels’ green light.
