The Côte d'Azur brings together a large community of Americans. Many of those who live here voted, by mail. In Monaco, an association brings together 300 Americans. How did they live these last hours several thousand kilometers away. We questioned them.
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“Perhaps it’s here in the Côte d’Azur that we should flee after this election,” jokes this American on vacation in Nice, after Donald Trump's big victory. Before adding, all smiles: “There, we are looking for accommodation in the area!”
Most of the people met this Wednesday said they were rather concerned about the result, such as this American citizen encountered in old Antibes, said: “I’m worried about the United States and the rest of the world.”
For this American, who has lived in Villeneuve-Loubet for three decades and who knows the American system very well, the reaction is quite different: “It is not only Trump who won the presidency but it is also the Republicans who won the Assembly, the Senate who will win most of the governors, this will give him the necessary levers to carry out his policies. “.
A few hours ago, who could have said things would turn out this way? Certainly not the American community well represented in Monaco within the Monaco USA association. For its founder, Annette Anderson, the timing of these elections is crucial.
In a bar that they took over for the occasion this Tuesday evening, the atmosphere is more chatty over a drink while no less than seven screens broadcast the last moments of voting in the United States on the channel CNN.
In Monaco, a polling station has been reproduced but it only has symbolic value
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© Loïc Blache/FTV
A ballot box was installed to simulate a vote, a bit as if we were across the Atlantic. Everyone also lends themselves to the game and during the counting. It is the Democratic candidate who comes well ahead : “we are here to share the spirit, the hopes and the fears of this election, that’s really it” expresses this American national who wears a t-shirt calling to vote for Kamala Harris.
Joyful atmosphere in this Monaco bar to experience the American elections
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© Loïc Blache/FTV
Here the two camps mix, while a “pro-Trump” red cap screwed on his head exchanges with a pro-Harris woman: “It is important that there is a spirit of celebration, it is not the celebration of a candidate, it is rather saying, we are all together and to have this incredible chance to be able to vote.”
Late in the night, the results were still far from known. Annette Anderson, living in Monaco for 40 years, adds mischievously: “This is my 12th American election”. And certainly not the last!
