American voters have dealt a severe blow to their president. In truth, he has gone far beyond what is acceptable in a democracy. Arbitrary behaviour, corruption and incompetence have characterised the first two years of his second term. The punishment was unequivocal, severe and stinging.
His supporters have suffered a resounding defeat across the board. This time round, their campaign arguments did not stand up to the test of power. Between mistakes and deliberate lies, they have paid the price for their populism. This is a lesson for the European far right, which exploits the difficult issue of migration, advocates nationalism and isolationism, and attacks the European Union!
However, a more traditional majority in the US Congress does not necessarily mean radical changes in foreign policy, and Europeans must be careful not to draw the wrong conclusions from this.
Whilst they have regained supporters in Washington, the growing distance between the continents on both sides of the Atlantic is inescapable; America is now looking primarily towards Asia, where it has identified the main threats to its hegemony.
Nothing would be worse than to think that, with a Democratic administration would alter this fact. Moreover, the new majority in the Congrès will not take office for another few weeks, and in the meantime a president with broad powers and his administration may still spring some negative surprises, particularly with regard to Ukraine.
Having long been addicted to complacent Euro-Atlanticism, Europe may rejoice at regaining a more ‘normal’ ally, but this does not absolve it of the task of finally building its political, diplomatic and military autonomy and standing firm by its convictions.
It therefore still has a great deal of work to do to break free from the comfortable vassalage it has maintained with the United States. This relationship has become a threat to its own security, as many across the globe wish to weaken it.
We knew it faced adversaries – the Russian dictator has publicly declared this and has declared a ‘political’ war on it – and competitors – China is destroying its industry – but its rivals, including those from the US, are no less dangerous, which is a kind of tribute to its successes and its economic clout.
On the international stage, once again, Europe can only rely on itself.
Taken together, the Europeans carry more weight than one might think amidst these unbridled powers! They must therefore accelerate their integration even further and, whilst doing so, take heart from the fact that the US elections have strengthened the democratic system and the power of the electorate.
