Originally published by the International Federation of Anti-fascist Resistance Fighters: https://fir.at/en/
Unlike in the last presidential election, the majority for the American Republicans turned out to be clearer than pollsters and the media predicted. Once again, it is clear that predictions are based primarily on the urban middle classes and do not adequately reflect the population in rural regions or the mood among working people. For weeks, there was talk of a neck-and-neck race. The election result itself was so clear that even political observers were surprised. Trump’s clear majority in the electoral college corresponded with a lead in the electoral votes. With a relatively high voter turnout, he received a good 5 million votes more than the Democratic Party candidate.This success is also visible in the two parliaments. The Republicans win the majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Due to these clear results, speculation about “Russian election interference”, which American secret services were still ranting about in the media just a few days before the election date, did not come to pass.
The peculiarity of the US electoral system meant that the media focused primarily on the so-called swing states. The substantive differences between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump were reflected less. Perhaps this was also due to the fact that the political differences lay more in the choice of words and less in the measures sought. As seen in various European elections, it was probably the case that voters who were dissatisfied with the Biden administration did not follow the promises of Kamala Harris, but voted for Trump’s original. Because one thing became increasingly clear during the election campaign. Whether on US hegemony policy, economic policy towards China, support for the Netanyahu government in Israel or the enemy image of Iran and North Korea, there were actually no substantive differences between these parties. Trump’s bold declaration that he would end the war in Ukraine on his first day in office only reflects the growing dissatisfaction of the American people with the military aid for the Zelensky government, which is achieving neither military progress nor results in terms of ending the war. Trump’s announcement would be desirable in the interests of the people in the war region. In terms of political reality, this election promise is likely to be the first that Trump will break.
Another indicator shows how little this election result will change the actual situation in the USA, its economic and foreign policy. The clear election result for Donald Trump led to significant price rises on the US and, in some cases, European stock markets. Financial capital is hoping that Trump’s economic policy will continue to generate substantial profits and a high degree of stability for profit maximization, but above all that it will curb Chinese competition.
What does the election result mean for anti-fascists in Europe? The political challenges are growing. The far right, which already sees itself on the upswing after the European elections, now expects a global right-wing trend involving more protectionism and nationalism, right wing images of humanity and an increase in racist division. It is not only in the USA that we will have to defend ourselves politically against this.
The course of US economic policy will lead to internationally active companies in Europe attempting to worsen the working conditions of employees with reference to US sanctions. This is where trade unions have their field of action. Anti-fascists should support the trade unions in their activities.
At the same time, the US government, within the framework of NATO, will urge European countries to increase their arms spending and war efforts. This calls for a peace movement that is not preoccupied with its own differences, but that visibly appears as a social counter-force. In view of US foreign policy, talks must finally begin in Europe for a new all-European security system. Reliance on the USA and its weapons systems stationed in Europe is becoming increasingly risky for the people and states of Europe.
