American election: in Rennes, bitter breakfast for disappointed Democrats [Vidéo]

Nearly 10,000 American citizens, or those with dual nationality, live in the west of France, in Normandy, Brittany, and Pays-de-la-Loire. This is the figure put forward by Éric Beaty, former economic affairs attaché at the American consulate for the west of France. This diplomatic body organized, this Wednesday, a special morning on the elections in the United States, open to all. Around a hundred people participated. Mostly French people wanting to experience, near the Star-Spangled Banner, this highlight of American democracy. But also some Americans seeking contact and exchange with exiled fellow citizens like them, on this side of the Atlantic.

“I couldn’t bear living this pressure alone anymore”

This is the case of Isama, 30 years old, from Los Angeles. “I am shocked,” immediately explains the young woman, who lives in Rennes. I barely slept a wink last night. I could no longer bear this pressure alone. That's why I came. “.

Trump's success, which is looming over time, is one thing. The policy he promised to implement is another. “With him, women’s rights will decline. It's written. That's a bit why I live in France and why I want to stay there. This election is the victory of big capitalism. Look at Elon Musk following in Trump's wake. We think we’re dreaming.”

Lily, 22, from Washington state, also agrees. “I barely slept last night. I am stunned and stressed. In my family, we never took politics lightly. Besides, my sister works in this sector. Today, I look at the future with apprehension. »

Nicholas Beaty, head of the World Trade Center in Rennes, and a staunch democrat, is also of this opinion. “I am very disappointed. Trump has given a deplorable image of our country abroad. The rivalry with the Republicans has always existed. But before, during previous campaigns, things were done with respect for the adversary. Trump has continued to indulge in insults and invective. “.

A single t-shirt with the image of Trump

Shouldn't the indirect ballot, which seems to distort the situation, need to be revisited? “It’s difficult. Because in the United States, the notion of state is very important. And the identity in relation to its territories is very strong. It’s something that is instilled in us from a very young age, at school. And confidence in the electors, who represent the people, is not eroded.”

Rebecca says she is “not surprised, but worried”. She believes that it would be interesting, today, to analyze the vote in detail. “We often associate Democrats with large urban centers. And the Republicans in the countryside. I think it's much more subtle than that. It's up to politicians to take hold of this. The size of states also comes into play. When we know that Texas is roughly the same size as France, we understand better why people feel Texan above all else. »

In the room, not one of the people interviewed took the side of Donald Trump. However, a young man ostensibly wears a t-shirt bearing the image of the real estate tycoon with the rebellious streak. A Rennais known for his radical identity opinions who came to provoke. It will be superbly ignored by the participants.