Nigel Farage, the prominent Brexit campaigner, is set to host an inauguration party on Thursday evening in Washington, just a stone's throw from the White House. The event, reportedly occupying the entire top floor of a prestigious hotel, is expected to attract at least 500 figures from the US political and media elite. Organisers have hinted that President-elect Donald Trump may make an appearance on the eve of his inauguration.
Trump has repeatedly praised Farage, viewing Brexit as a precursor to his own electoral victory, and even suggested the former Ukip leader should become the UK ambassador to Washington. Farage, who will attend the formal inauguration ceremony as a guest of Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant, has announced plans to relocate to the US and offered his services as a Middle East negotiator for the incoming administration.
Farage is not the only European right-wing leader heading to Washington for the inauguration. Heinz-Christian Strache, head of Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPO), confirmed he would be in the city for meetings, though he did not specify with whom. The anti-immigrant FPO has previously met with Trump's designated national security adviser, Michael Flynn, and other members of the president-elect's team.
Trump's scepticism of the European Union and his admiration for Brexit have made him a beacon for nationalist, anti-immigrant parties across Europe. Marine Le Pen, leader of France's Front National, was spotted in Trump Tower last week, though her office described the visit as private and declined to confirm any meeting with Trump. Most European far-right leaders, including Le Pen and Frauke Petry of Germany's Alternative for Germany, will attend a conference in Koblenz on Saturday instead.
Australia's One Nation party is sending Senator Brian Burston to the inauguration in place of leader Pauline Hanson. However, controversy surrounds the invitation: Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger stated he did not intend to offer tickets to One Nation but was approached by the Australian embassy. The Australian foreign ministry confirmed it had received multiple requests from the party and had asked congressional offices for spare tickets.
Meanwhile, Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik, who had planned to attend, was denied a diplomatic visa by the current US administration. Dodik claimed to have an official invitation, but Bosnian media reported he had purchased a ticket for the inaugural balls.
