The winners turned out to be two populist leaders -- comedian-turned-politician Beppo Grillo, who seized on Donald Trump's "drain-the-swamp" chant . He'd already curried favor with Putin after becoming one of the first European politicians to visit Crimea after Russia had seized it. Though a right-wing victory in Austria would have seen a clean sweep for Putin and against EU unity, Italy -- the third largest economy in Europe, after Germany and France -- is by far the bigger prize. This weekend's balloting is only the first crest of a wave expected across Europe in the first half of next year. JUST WATCHED Related: Fillon wins France's Republican primary Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Related: Fillon wins France's Republican primary 02:54Both have trumpeted their friendship with Putin -- Fillon boasting of the billiards he played with Putin in his Sochi villa, Le Pen pledging she'll cozy up to both Putin and Trump in the "interest of world peace."

Source: CNN December 05, 2016 13:18 UTC