US election: Trump wins election – Scholz for reliable partnership

After four years, Republican Donald Trump is returning to the White House as US President. After a heated and often aggressive election campaign, the 78-year-old won surprisingly clearly over his Democratic opponent, outgoing Vice President Kamala Harris (60).

“It is a political victory the likes of which our country has never experienced,” Trump said during an appearance in front of supporters in the state of Florida. “I thank the American people for the extraordinary honor of being elected the 47th President,” he continued. He promised a “golden age” for America and thanked his voters for their support.

According to forecasts, Trump achieved the necessary majority of more than 270 voters early this morning (local time) to secure the presidency again. The Republicans were also able to take the majority in the US Senate from the Democrats. In the second chamber of parliament, the House of Representatives, it was initially unclear whether the Republicans would be able to defend their majority there.

A tough change of course is imminent in US politics

During the election campaign, Trump announced the “largest deportation in history” of migrants from the USA, a quick end to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine as well as high import tariffs and tax cuts. The Republican also denies the climate crisis and announced a drastic expansion of oil and natural gas production in the USA. In foreign policy – where candidate Harris stood for continuity – Trump is seen as unpredictable, also with regard to the important US support for Ukraine.

In an initial reaction, Chancellor Olaf Scholz extended his hand to the future US President – but also made it clear that the Europeans must now stand closer together.

Crushing defeat for Vice President Harris

Polls had predicted a close neck-and-neck race. But the Democrat Harris experienced a debacle. It is a historic comeback for Trump. When he left the White House four years ago, he seemed politically exhausted after his supporters stormed the Capitol in Washington and he refused to recognize the election results.

The ex-president scored points in the election campaign with promises such as halving energy costs. He fueled fears of an alleged invasion by criminal migrants. He did better among blacks and Latinos, traditionally a Democratic bastion, compared to his loss to Joe Biden four years ago.

Trump’s triumph means that he is also likely to win the majority of votes overall, something he was denied when he won the 2016 election. The “popular vote” is unnecessary for victory, but it shows how great Trump’s support is among the population.

In July, Trump was slightly injured in an assassination attempt during a campaign appearance. Afterwards he said that God had protected him so that he could lead America to new greatness.

Scholz offers reliable cooperation

In his initial reaction in Berlin, Chancellor Scholz said: “Together we can achieve much more than against each other.” The offer of reliable cooperation also applies “with regard to the threat that all NATO allies believe Russia poses to security in the European area.” The USA and Germany are Ukraine’s main arms suppliers. There are fears that Trump could cut off aid.

CDU leader Friedrich Merz called for a stronger role for Europe and emphasized the shared values ​​and interests with the USA as well as the collective promise of protection as members of NATO. “It is now particularly in the hands of us Germans and Europeans to shape relations with our most important ally,” wrote Merz on Platform X.

BSW founder Sahra Wagenknecht called for a departure from the previous transatlantic policy. The world’s largest military power and Germany’s most important trading partner will be ruled for the next four years by a president who ruthlessly pursues what he considers to be American interests, she told the editorial network Germany (RND). Wagenknecht mentioned “further rearmament, economic wars and merciless customs policies also against Germany and Europe.”

Counterbalance only possible in Congress

With the majority of Republicans in the US Senate, Trump could have more clout for his plans. Harris’ Democrats can only provide a counterweight if they manage to take back the House of Representatives as the second chamber of Congress. If the Republicans retain control of the House of Representatives, Trump can rule through.

With the Senate majority, the Republicans could also further expand the conservative majority in the Supreme Court, which will shape the USA for decades. Supreme Court justices are appointed for life. Trump appointed three judges in his first term and secured a conservative majority. Among other things, they overturned the nationwide right to abortion.

Voters rejected Harris

Vice President Harris warned Americans about Trump’s dictatorial ambitions and made abortion an issue. But it did not get through to voters, some of whom were dissatisfied with President Joe Biden’s government because of high inflation after the corona pandemic. Americans trust Trump more when it comes to economic policy. And many also said in surveys that the candidates’ personal qualities were less important to them than their own finances.

The balance of Trump’s first term in office is controversial

In his first term in office, Trump implemented tough measures at the US southern border, such as building a meter-high fence and separating migrant children from their parents. Americans were dissatisfied with his Corona policy in 2020. From the Democrats’ perspective, he disqualified himself by refusing to recognize his defeat in the 2020 election. There are several lawsuits underway against Trump. Most of these will soon no longer be an issue once he returns to the White House.

Also decision on congressional majorities

The election also decided the majorities in the US Congress. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives and around a third of the 100 seats in the Senate were up for election. The party that controls Congress can severely limit a president’s freedom of action. The Republicans currently hold the majority in the House of Representatives with 220 to 212 seats.

Abortion rights in several states

In several states, voters could also decide on abortion rights. After the US Supreme Court overturned a ruling from the 1970s, abortions are now a matter for the states. Several of them, controlled by Republicans, subsequently imposed abortion bans. In Missouri, voters voted to repeal the ban, and in Arizona, abortion rights were enshrined. In Florida it fell short of the required majority of 60 percent.