Why is this election so often viewed with anxiety?
What already generates anxiety is that there is suspense and difficulties in projecting oneself. In addition, the projects are very opposed and irreconcilable. There is a fascination with the USA mixed with a form of exoticism. The worry is that American society will be even more fractured. This is never good because it is an allied, military, economic, cultural power. In France we have a unique relationship. But we must see that for the Germans, it is America which ensures their security. And as Europe's influence diminishes…
Donald Trump seems to maintain the caricature of himself. Is he more dangerous than four years ago?
It is both different from four years ago and even more serious than what people say about it in France. This somewhat cartoonish and grotesque character fascinates. His somewhat absurd positions indicate an improbable person and give politics a grotesque image. While the consequences are significant. It is dangerous for democracy, for the stability of the world, for ecological balance, for women, migrants, minorities. We wonder what happened to the Americans, especially since they have already done it and the damage would be worse because his program has become radicalized. He appeals to the evangelical right which was not necessarily there. He surrounded himself with controversial figures like Elon Musk.
Should we fear in Europe a real change of policy on Ukraine?
He announces a lot of things and doesn't necessarily do them. But Trump can always surprise. If he does what he said in Ukraine, it is dangerous for Europe. He has little culture. It has a purely financial relationship with NATO, for example, while the issues are political and diplomatic. His relationship with multilateralism shows that he does not understand, because he does not know. Same for his obsession with China which we also find among the Democrats. The danger is that this fear of the downgrading of the USA translates into desires for direct confrontation on the part of Trump. The Taiwan question is symbolic. It leaves the air that the words of the United States can be reformulated. He does not feel attached to the previous agreements, which scares his allies. He also has a fascination with authoritarian characters and a delusional misogyny. There will be a lot of play this Tuesday.
Can America slide into chaos with Trump?
There is a dimension that we ignore, and that is the immense weight of the military. They are deeply committed to democracy, even if they do not necessarily vote Democratic. Trump does not have the support of the military who have significant influence among the population. They are very reserved but they swear an oath to the Constitution, not to the president.
What does Kamala Harris really represent outside of images?
What is hard for the Democrats, since Trump has existed, is that they embody relief, not openness. In France, we see that she is not particularly progressive and has not left her mark on the landscape since she became vice-president. The enthusiasm she generated when she was a senator is still the same and is based above all on her smile and her good intentions, but it does not go far enough. And in an election that may hinge on the conflict in Israel, she has alienated part of the left by remaining in Biden's shadow.
The Democrats still have the idea that they will win in the center and do not move to the left. While Republicans campaign to their right. The left can go to other small candidates. She is not a muse of the left, she is a bulwark
Are we right to look for points of comparison with the presidential election in France?
There are many more checks and balances in the United States and there are many local regimes, in states, counties or cities. Federal decisions may not impact people's lives. Whereas in France, it is national politics that sets the pace for daily life. Trump, in 2016, did not bring about a new American society, but fractures. We also vote in the USA for senators, sheriffs, judges and referendums.
There are shared trends with France, because we are linked by what we read and listen to. Common societal issues emerge everywhere in democracies where they can be debated.
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