Trump or Harris, Harris or Trump, but it’s not as simple as picking petals off a daisy. Today is election day, even though nearly 80 million Americans have already cast their votes in the world’s largest democracy. This is one of the most significant days in global politics because knowing who will be the next resident of the White House, and how their vision will address the major economic and diplomatic issues of our time, is no small matter. The world is watching, as is our own small yet significant Italy. Longtime faithful allies, with more or less enthusiasm depending on the political seasons on both sides. Some even say we are still a colony of America, and that we remain aligned with them, especially in Atlantism (see NATO), out of guilt for not being able to free ourselves from fascists and Nazis on our own.
But moving from theory to the present. The headlines this morning highlighted the opposing cheers of Schlein and Salvini, illustrating how the PD is rooting hard for the progressive Kamala Harris, while the League has always leaned closer to Donald Trump. But broadening the view to the two sides, we start to see the usual Italian contortions: in the opposition, Conte has his own position—during Covid, he was affectionately called “Giuseppi” by the American billionaire. Now, the M5S, which is dealing with a delicate internal crisis, remains cautious and speaks of hopeful waiting. Yet on the left, there are also historically anti-American sentiments. On the right, Prime Minister Meloni is cautious and doesn’t take a clear stance, having built a solid political and personal rapport with Biden. As head of government, she must be flexible and ready to engage with Republicans as well, but on a personal level, relationships would need to be built either way. If Kamala were to win, she could become the first female President of the U.S., symbolically mirroring Meloni as Italy’s first female Prime Minister. On rights and immigration, Harris seems quite distant, but on foreign policy—where Meloni has shown significant skill—there could be more continuity with the Biden administration, of which Harris is still an integral part as Vice President.
Today, our top commentators spoke of a great nation voting amid tensions and suspicions of fraud, with snipers on rooftops and anti-Fentanyl medications at polling stations (it only takes the touch of an envelope to have an effect). However it goes, and whatever one may think, our gaze today is fixed on a country that has given us not only rock and cinema but also taught us about freedom.
