Two crucial votes going on right now could have Major Political and economic implicati am plmpl europe. He would become the first far right head of state in the european union. And in italy, the future of Prime Minister matteo renzi depends on a constitutional referendum h both votes will test the rise of populism across europe. And it could help candidates who are antiimmigration and skeptical of european integration. Cnn is covering the story from all angles. Cnn money europe editor nina dos santos and Atika Shubert joins us live from austria. Thank you both for joining us on this critical weekend. Lets start with you atika in austria. This is a rerun of the election from may. But it could have a different outcome. What could mr. Hofer bring to austria . Reporter it could have a different outcome. Its simply too close to call. Polls opened at 7 00 a. M. , 6 00 a. M. In some places. We wont get an indication until 5 00 p. M. Tonight. Thats when the first exit polls come out tonight. Theyll be careful at counting this time because in the previous election, it was won by a very slim margin. By Alexander Van der bellen. Hes the left candidate. He won by a margin of just 30,000 votes, which is why, when hofers party, the Freedom Party, fpo, demanded a recount of one district, they decided that they had to do it all over again because there were the votes were mishandled. So as a result, were now at this point where were doing another election. Turnout so far is good. Were waiting for the candidates, van der bellen and hofer to vote. But if Norbert Hofer wins, as you point out, he will be the first far right leader in western europe since world war ii. Hes campaigned strongly for stopping immigration altogether and stopping what he describes as islamization. Hes very much gags the migration of mugs limo owe there are a lot of fears of a far right nationalist the presidency is a very ceremonial role here in austria. Not a lot of power to it. There is some power but mostly a symbolic victory if he wins. I see. What about the fact that their neighbor, germany, has a different stance on migration and refugees . Reporter absolutely. In fact, germany and austria found themselves on opposing ends on this. Austria put a cap on the number of refugees coming in and the number of filing applications that theyll process every day. Theyll only take 37,000 refugees here every year. Germanys chancellor Angela Merkel refused to put a cap on it. They said they must be willing to accept refugees. There is a division there. Germany has elections later next year as well. Theyll be watching the results here very closely. As you say, six more hours of voting. Well talk with you again in a moment. Lets go to nina dos santos in milan, italy. A referendum is what people will be voting there. It could very much determine the future of matteo renzi. Reporter yeah. If you take a look at what happened in summer with the brexit vote, natalie. We know the referendum could throw up big surprise decisions. This is one of the big concerns here about whats happening in italy. You can see the for the people voting here, the polls have been open since 7 00 a. M. , many having to make time between going to church and of course, their favorite football match this afternoon to go to the polls. 51 million italians are eligible to vote in this referendumment turnouts will be crucial here. A lot of people saying that this is not just about the central question here. Matteo renzi, the Prime Minister asked them whether they will support to vote yes or not support, vote no, to plan constitutional changes. He needs the constitutional changes, he says, to empower a government to do more to enact reform across this country, whose economy has been in stasis. He wants to cut the power of senate and give bonus seats to any party to get more votes to the parliament so that it isnt prone to the government cycle. Theres a lot more that people are putting inside this vote. Across the rest of italy, theyve been saying i am going to vote yes or no based on a myriad of other factors. Thats the real concern here, that this could be used as a pop list message and voice. Its not just about the central question. That brings me to the future of Matteo Renzis career. This is where its so important for the economic financial heart of italy. Matteo renzi has stated his career on getting people to vote yes in this referendum to get the new measures that he needs to empower his party past parliament. He said that if people do vote no, he may well have to step down even if he doesnt across cities like this and the rest of italy is that he could see his power base eroded by pop list movements like the fivestar movement and it will throw italy back to another state of turmoil that its used to. As you talk, nina, were seeing a live video of mr. Renzi right here looking to be at a polling place. In florence, italy. Were watching that as we speak with you. Nina, youre our financial expert. So what could a no vote mean to the economy there . Italy has not been able to get it going and banks are very much in jeopardy. One in particular. Im glad you mentioned the banks, natalie. What matteo renzi put on the table in terms of the essential questions that are voted on in terms of this referendum, on the face of things, has nothing to do with the banks. The real fear is this is a nation with 133 debt to gdp. The second highest debt load in the eurozone after greece. The problem is, after the debt is more risky because, yet again, its thrown into the cycle of weak government and lack of reform, that will make it harder for its already struggling Banking System to continue to finance itself. Up and down across this country from the north to the south, weve had a number of local banks, remember its a fragmented Banking System where local entrepreneurs are doubly exposed with loans and also big share holdings, those banks have been coming under huge financial pressure. Some of them have failed and the governments had to back stop them. The real fear is one of the biggest and by the way the oldest in the world, mont did he pass ki could face a bailout if if the risk profile spirals out of control. Well, his family right now is making their vote for the referendum as we speak live in florence, italy. Certainly know how they are voting. Yes, he mentioned that bank. It was founded in 1472. As you can see, he is voting right at this moment. Were going to leave it there with nina dos santos and Atika Shubert. Thank you boept. Well speak with you again. Its nice to be able to see mr. Renzi making his vote for his plan, were sure. Thank you both. Well speak to you both again as this day pushes on. Lets take a look at how pop list parties fared in recent elections. The Uk Independence Party won more than 12 of the vote in 2015. In the netherlands, the parties for freedom won more than 10 of the vote in 2012. Italy took 17 of the vote in 2013. Germanys right wing afd party won less than 5 that same year and in france, the National Front won 15 of votes in Regional Elections last year. Well continue to follow the developments, again in italy and austria on this day. We want to turn to a tragedy now in oakland, california. At least nine people are dead after a warehouse fire in oakland. It happened as dozens of people were arriving for a music event. Authorities warn the death toll could rise. We have recovered nine victims at this point. Those victims have been transported from the scene to our coroners bureau. The identification process has begun with those victims. We are rushing their fingerprints to identify them. And then notify family members as we get those identifications. The warehouse contained artist studios but Officials Say it did not have permits for people to live there. Heres how one person described how he lost a friend. I just ran outside and i watched this warehouse burn. Officials say the buildings owners were notified last month of violations for hazardous trash sand debris. Oaklands mayor called it an immense tragedy and pledged to get a full accounting of what happened as soon as possible. Fidel castro will be buried in about two hours. Hundreds of thousands of people said their goodbyes saturday night in Santiago De Cuba where castros revolution began. President raul castro thanked them for being there. Translator once again, through the impressive reaction of the cuban children and young people who affirm their willingness to be faithful successors of the ideals of the revolutions leader in the name of our people of the party, the state and the government and the families, i reiterate my deepest appreciation for the innumerable displays of affection to fidel, his ideas and his work. Cnns Patrick Oppmann has been following news of the tributes this week. He joins us from santiago. This, of course, patrick, the culmination of a very emotional week for so many cubans. Reporter the culmination, really, of the era of fidel castro. You have to think, natalie, that for most people on this island, the majority of the island was this is the leader theyve known for most of their lives. Hes always been on the radio, tv and the newspaper. So for his supporters and there are still many of them, that perhaps is the greatest surprise this week, after years of really seeming that the revolution, there was not as much enthusiasm for the revolution p in the cuba, the present day cuba with the economic problems. The throwback to the 1960s when fidel castro took power, this outpouring of hope and faith in the revolution and people swearing allegiance to fidel castro, he really did receive a sendoff that i think few would have expected as hundreds of thousands packed the roads and plazas like the one behind me to say goodbye to somebody who, for so many decades, had a central role in cubans lives. After hes buried today, cubans will be looking to an uncertain future, natalie. Yes. They will be. And wondering what that future will be. There are a lot of castro members of that family who could have sway. Lets talk about the service. Its not open to the public. Who is invited and houfrp was fidel castro involved in how the country would recognize him after his death . In his final moments, as always, he was directing how he would be remembered. One of those elements of how hed be remembered is there would be no parks or monuments or streets named after him, very different in how other strong men in the region and around the world wanted to be remembered with massive memorials in their honor. Fidel castro has always cultivated a slightly different personality. He wanted people to know his speeches, his school of thought to even though he was the central figure, you do not see statues in his honor or posters or billboards with his face on it. At least not very many of them. Even in death, thats how he wants to be remembered. This morning, well see or not see a private service. It will be attended by family and close friends, natalie. Patrick oppmann, of course, there in cuba. Thank you, patrick. Still ahead, new details about coming out, about the controversial phone call between the u. S. President elect donald trump and the leader of taiwan. Plus, donald trump goes to a villains and heroes Costume Party dressed as himself. O is for ordinarily i wouldnt. L is for layers of luxury. A is for alll the way back. R is for read my mind. And i. Cant see a thing. S. See you in the morning. Polaris, from united. Is it a force of nature . Or a sales event . The season of audi sales event is here. Audi will cover your first months lease payment on select models during the season of audi sales event. bing but when we brought our daughter home, that was it. Now i have nicoderm cq. The nicoderm cq patch with unique extended release Technology Helps prevent your urge to smoke all day. Its the best thing that ever happened to me. Every great why needs a great how. Hey team, i know were tight on time, but i really need a. Sick day tomorrow. Moms dont take sick days. 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Were learning more about the bizarre break from diplomatic protocol when donald trump spoke directly with the leader of taiwan. Fridays phone call was the first oneonone contact since 1979 between the leaders of taiwan and the United States. He said taiwans president called him. Taiwan said both sides agreed to the call beforehand. In any case, beijing was not amused. Translator it was a shenanigan by the taiwan side. It wont at all change the structure that the International Community agreed upon. It wont change the policy that the u. S. Administrations adhered to over the years. Cnns alexandra field joins us from beijing. Shes been following developments there and what more do we know alexandra, about the circumstances with this phone call . Well, natalie, we dont know what precipitated the phone call but were hearing from a spokesperson that it was a prearranged call. That would indicate that the Trump Transition Team and president elect donald trump were not taken by surprise by the phone call even if the rest of the world seemingly was. Mr. Trump was quick to get on twitter and come to his own defense saying that taiwans president had called him and offered congratulations similar to the tone of other conversations that he has had with other World Leaders. Of course, this was a phone call that is unlike the conversations hes had with other World Leaders because it flies in the face of so many decades of tradition in upholding the protocol between the u. S. And china, by which we have this one china policy, washington, d. C. Has an official diplomatic relationship with beijing, beijing considers taiwan to be a renegade province, the u. S. Acknowledges chinas stance and maintains only an unofficial relationship with taiwan. So the fact that trump would take this call from taiwans president certainly shocked a lot of people. The only thing perhaps that has not been surprising about all of this has been the reaction from beijing which was, in fact, swift. You poent oint out that beijing called is shenanigans. There was one agency that called it a petty gesture to which they say trump responded. It has certainly raised concerned. One of the staterun News Agencies point out that trumps rhetoric on the campaign trail caused worries about the future of chinese u. S. Relations. They were some a laid in a phone call when president elect trump assured the chinese leader that the u. S. china relationship would carry forward. This phone call created a great deal of uncertainty because of the breach of protocol and led to scathing words in an editorial that was led in the times with an oped that the that theres a need to uphold this one china policy and that a failure to do that could overturn the international order. Something that the global times surmises. Mr. Trump says not natalie, its just a phone call right now. The question on everyones mind is what happens next . Right. What could one phone call do to this very intriguing and integral and involved relationship between the United States and china . That could be the question. Is there any dialog in the region about that from any other country . Look, the focus right now has really been on chinas reaction. Certainly, there is an effort to understand taiwans inclination to make this call. Taiwans president gives you a readout. Describes this as a call in which policy was discussed. The only other details we know about the call discussed came from trump again on twitter and he pointed out, he said it was interesting that people suggested he shouldnt take a call from taiwans president when the u. S. Sells billions of dollars of defense equipment to taiwan. While the u. S. And taiwan dont have a diplomatic relationship, president elect trump under scoring that there are close ties between taiwan and the u. S. When it comes to defense and the economic relationship. Well continue to see how this plays out. Thank you. The green party halted an effort to get a statewide vote recount in pennsylvania because of the high cost. Green Party President ial candidate jill stein says a state requirement to put up a 1 million bond was too costly for voters to pursue. Instead, stein will go now to federal court on monday to try to force a state recount on constitutional grounds. James mattis, Donald Trumps pick to lead the u. S. Defense department, is not keen on the kremlin. If confirmed, hes likely to steer the Trump Administration away from talks with russian president Vladimir Putin. And russia is fueling homegrown pressure on the current administration. Jim sciutto has more now from washington. Democratic senators are pressing the Obama Administration to more forthrightly state based in part on new intelligence that russias meddling in the u. S. Election was intended to help donald trump. Multiple sources tell cnn the democratic pressure comes as multiple sources with knowledge of the investigation tell cnn that the u. S. Intelligence community is increasingly confident that russian hacking was intended to steer the election toward trump rather than simply