Trump's candidacy signals deepening crisis in US democracy
The French newspaper "Le Monde," in an article published on Tuesday, argues that American democracy is becoming "unstable," and Donald Trump's return to the presidential race is an "alarming signal" of the erosion of the U.S. political system.
According to "Le Monde," Trump's presence on the ballot four years after he refused to acknowledge his defeat in the 2020 election indicates not only the "weakness of the Republican Party" in the face of the former president but also a significant weakening of American democratic institutions.
As cited by PAP, the newspaper recalls the dramatic events of January 6, 2021, when the Capitol was stormed. In an attempt to maintain power at all costs, Trump undermined the legality of the elections and ignited social tensions. In "Le Monde's" view, his participation in the presidential election again is an "alarming signal" for the future of democracy in the U.S.
"Le Monde" criticizes the Republican Party's "inability" to publicly acknowledge that Trump lost the 2020 election and its subservience to his influence. The newspaper points to the "accomplices" among the conservative Supreme Court judges who enabled Trump to avoid accountability for actions challenging Joe Biden's victory.
Trump responsible for "extreme polarization"
The French newspaper places primary responsibility on Trump for the "extreme polarization that weakens American democracy." At the same time, it highlights President Biden's "reckless adherence" to the prospect of a second term, which could contribute to political chaos. "Le Monde" also points out that Vice President Kamala Harris decided too late to participate in the election.
All these factors make the U.S. elections scheduled for November 5th a potentially unprecedented event in the history of American democracy. A country that for a long time was a global model of democracy is, unfortunately, proving to be uncertain and unstable – concludes "Le Monde".
Experts indicate that the rivalry between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump is close. This means that we may have to wait several weeks for the final election results. To win, one of the two candidates must secure 270 of 538 Electoral College votes.
