The US election causes excitement: worries with American roots!

The US election causes excitement: worries with American roots!

The tension increases: On November 5, the US presidential election is pending, and people with American roots in the region observe the developments with mixed feelings. "I submitted my voice three weeks ago by postal voting," reports Nico Weinmann, FDP parliamentary group leader in Heilbronn. With an American mother and a German father, he has both the German and the American nationality. In addition to economic issues, he primarily concerns social cohesion in the USA.

Weinmann expresses his concern about rhetoric in the US election campaign. "What happens in the United States often also has an impact on Europe," he warns. The aggressive rhetoric of Donald Trump, which promotes split, is particularly alarming. "We already see a harbing of this emotionalization and fake news in Germany, if not in the extreme form of the USA." But the choice of Kamala Harris as Vice President is positively perceived by him. "She represents a more modern America." Nevertheless, he remains careful and says: "It will be a very hot box."

Americans in the region express their concerns

Mark Kendall, an American who lives in Schwaigern-Massenbach, has also already elected. "The choice is interesting for me because I have siblings who are Republicans while I support the Democrats," explains the pensioner. In contrast to his siblings, he sees Trump as a "strange person", while Harris is intelligent and themed for him. Kendall also expects a short election result.

Blake Thomson, an American double bass player, also has concerns. "With a mixture of fear and tension" he follows the choice, concerned about polarization and disinformation. "The choice is presented as a struggle between good and evil," he says. Thomson fears that the Republicans may not be able to accept the election results. Mobilizing the electorate is crucial in the United States because citizens have to register in order to vote. This is a big difference to Germany, where everyone is automatically invited to choose.