Across the Atlantic, the counting of the votes in the presidential election is accelerating. Even before the polls opened, it was predicted that the race between the Republican candidate, Donald Trump, and the Democratic candidate, Kamala Harris, would be close and that key countries would be the ones to decide the election. So far, Trump has passed the 270-vote threshold, it is clear that Trump will become the 47th President of the United States.
The President of the United States of America is not directly elected by the popular vote, but by the electoral vote. There are 538 electoral votes in total, so a candidate must win at least 270 electoral votes to win.
- The victory of the Republican candidate, Donald Trump, has sparked excitement among investors in the US capital markets. Trump has predicted that his rule will help stimulate economic activity, reduce bureaucracy and regulation, and make tax policy more favourable.
- Trump also triumphed in the state of Alaska, gaining three additional electoral votes.
- The outcome of the vote is still unknown in five states. These also include three swing states (Michigan, Nevada and Arizona).
- In the wake of the defeat of Kamala Harris, who could not win, in spite of getting the support of such big star names as Taylor Swift and Beyonce, many are expecting the Vice-President to address the public. People close to her are calling for space and time to be given to process this huge loss. “We ask that you allow members of the Kamala Harris campaign ample time to identify the pros and cons,” a source close to the campaign told the media outlet CNN.
- Trump was congratulated on his landslide victory by the President of Argentina, Javier Milei. “You know that you can count on Argentina to carry out your task. Success and blessings,” he wrote on the X network.
- Stephen Grover Cleveland is the only US President to date who has managed to serve two non-consecutive presidential terms. In the US, it is common for a President to serve two consecutive terms in office. Trump thus became the second President in American history to win two non-consecutive terms. Before Trump takes office on the 20th of January, his victory will be put to a vote at the electorate college, and the result will have to be confirmed by Congress.
- In 2020, Joe Biden became the oldest candidate to be elected President, having celebrated his 78th birthday on the 20th of November that year. When Trump is sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, he will break Biden’s record, as he will then be closer to his 79th birthday.
- Srečko Ocvirk, the Mayor of Sevnica, is proud that Melania Trump, who was born in Sevnica, will once again be the American First Lady. “As a Sevnica resident, as a Slovenian, I am proud that Mrs Trump is the First Lady again, and I am also proud that her son Barron speaks and understands Slovenian, which is something that all Slovenians can be proud of, so I congratulate her on this achievement, ” the Mayor said at a press conference, according to the Slovenian Press Agency (STA). Ocvirk believes that Melania’s popularity has raised the profile of both Sevnica and Slovenia.
- Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob also congratulated Trump on his convincing victory. “I look forward to working with you at a time when the world needs strong leadership to end wars and secure peace.” Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon also expressed her congratulations on his re-election as US President. “The US is our leading ally, and Slovenia will continue to work with it to advance global security and economic growth,” she wrote on the X network.
- A CNN projection shows that Trump is winning the swing state of Wisconsin, which carries ten electoral votes. This is why Trump has already been declared the winner of this presidential election.
- Spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin does not intend to congratulate Trump. In their view, the US is a hostile country. He added that Trump would be judged by his actions.
- The world’s attention continues to focus on the vote count in the remaining four key (swing) states (Wisconsin, Nevada, Michigan and Arizona). Namely, winning electoral votes in one of these states would take Trump over the 270 electoral votes threshold.
- Congresspeople Amy Klobuchar (Democrat) of Minnesota and Paul Gosar (Republican) of Arizona managed to retain their seats in Congress, the STA reports.
- The President of the largest Slovenian opposition party, Janez Janša, congratulated Trump on his historic victory. “Congratulations, Donald Trump, on your historic victory! Slovenia is next to make our streets safe, our economy strong, and our people proud,” he said.
- President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, also joined others in congratulating Trump on his victory and expressed their willingness to work together. “The European Union and the United States are more than just allies. We are bound by a true partnership between our people, uniting 800 million citizens. This bond runs deep, rooted in our shared history, commitment to freedom and democracy, and common goals of security and opportunity for all. Let us work together on a transatlantic partnership that continues to deliver for our citizens,” noted the European Commission President.
- The Slovenian President of the Republic, Nataša Pirc Musar, also congratulated Trump on his re-election as President of the United States of America. She pointed out that our transatlantic family and the international community as a whole are facing many challenges today and that his leadership would be crucial in addressing them. “Slovenia is ready to work with you. Only together can we build a more democratic, safer and greener world, ” she added. In her congratulatory message, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described Italy and the United States as sister nations “bound by an unwavering alliance, shared values, and a historic friendship. It is a strategic bond that I am sure we will now strengthen even more.” She is confident that the strategic alliance will be further strengthened in the future.
- “Your historic return to the White House offers a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America. This is a huge victory!” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pointed out in his congratulatory message to Trump. Meanwhile, NATO Secretary-General, Mark Rutte, wrote in his congratulatory message to Trump: “His leadership will once again be key to keeping our Alliance strong. I look forward to working with him again to advance peace through strength through NATO,” he also said. In his congratulatory message, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz wrote that “for a long time, Germany and the US have been working together successfully promoting prosperity and freedom on both sides of the Atlantic. We will continue to do so for the wellbeing of our citizens.“
- Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy also congratulated Trump on his impressive electoral victory, saying he looks forward to working with the US under Trump’s strong leadership. He also made it clear that he looks forward to continued US support for Ukraine. He made it clear that he appreciates Trump’s principle of “achieving peace through strength”. “This is exactly the principle that can practically bring just peace in Ukraine closer. I am hopeful that we will put it into action together,” he stated, among other things.
- The first congratulations on the victory have started to arrive from Europe. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán called Trump’s success the biggest comeback in American political history. “Congratulations to President Donald Trump on his great victory. A much needed victory for the world,” he pointed out via the X network. Among the first to add their congratulations were Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer and French President Emmanuel Macron. Nehammer pointed out that the US is an important strategic partner for Austria. “We look forward to further building and strengthening the transatlantic relationship in order to successfully address global challenges.” Macron expressed his willingness to cooperate with respect and ambition. “For more peace and prosperity.”
- Controversial influencer Andrew Tate announced his intention to move back to America.
- Donald Trump has declared victory. “We will heal our country. It is clear that we have achieved an incredible political success. This will be a golden age for America. We will make you proud and happy,” he emphasised in his victory speech, according to Index, adding that he hopes that one day, Americans will look back and be proud to have voted for a group of people who are behind him. A landslide victory, he said, will allow America to be made great again. Trump asserted that he will not rest until America is safe, prosperous and strong.
- Trump expressed his gratitude to his wife, describing her as the First Lady and highlighting the success of her recently published book. Referring to the book, he said that it is “the best-selling book in the country”. “She has done a great job,“ he stated, adding that she is trying very hard to help people. He also thanked his children for their support.
- Trump congratulated his Vice-Presidential candidate. According to the BBC (https://www.bbc.com/news/live/czxrnw5qrprt), J. D. Vance stressed that this particular case was “the biggest political comeback ever”. “Under President Trump’s leadership, we will never stop fighting for you, for your dreams, for your children’s future, ” he said, among other things. Trump went on to express his affection for Elon Musk, who has become one of his biggest supporters in this campaign, and described him as the “new star” of the Republican Party. He also said that he survived the assassination attempt for a reason.
- Donald Trump takes the stage to address his supporters.
- Trump has also officially won Pennsylvania, securing 19 electoral votes.
- CNN projections also show that Trump has won the state of Pennsylvania.
- Fox News has already declared Trump the winner of the election. They did this after they published a projection that Trump has won Pennsylvania.
- The American businessman and billionaire Elon Musk, who is considered one of Trump’s biggest supporters, is already celebrating Trump’s victory. “The future is going to be fantastic,” he pointed out.
- Most of the governorships went to Republicans. Their candidates won eight – in Indiana, Vermont, West Virginia, Missouri, North Dakota, Montana, New Hampshire and Utah. Democrats remain in office in Delaware, North Carolina and Washington, according to the AP.
- Trump supporters are celebrating, and there is a jubilant atmosphere in Trump’s campaign headquarters. The picture is very different in the US Vice-President’s electoral camps. Harris has decided not to address her supporters in Washington. For this reason, the Democratic supporters have dispersed, leaving behind empty chairs and flags. Meanwhile, the West Palm Beach Central Camp in Florida is bursting at the seams, with Trump expected to address the attendees shortly.
- According to the US media, Trump has also managed to win Georgia, which brings 16 electoral votes. Meanwhile, the current President, Joe Biden, won Georgia four years ago.
- The former President has managed to secure his first victory of the evening with a win in North Carolina. His victory in North Carolina gives him 16 electoral votes. According to the German news agency dpa, Trump beat Hillary Clinton by three percentage points in North Carolina in 2016. In the last presidential election, Joe Biden won the state.
- Trump’s wife, Melania Trump, shared a photo via the social network X of their son, Barron Trump, at the polling station casting his first vote for his father.
Republicans hold the majority in the Senate
While all the attention is focused on the outcome of the presidential election, the House of Representatives is also deciding who will take up seats there, as well as on one third of the Senators. In the congressional elections, the Republicans managed to secure a majority in the Senate, which has been controlled by the Democrats in recent years. According to the STA, they have so far managed to take 51 of the 100 seats.
Vice-President Kamala Harris managed to secure victories in California, New York and other traditionally Democratic states, while former President Donald Trump won Florida, Texas and several other Republican-leaning states.
The key vote will be in seven key (swing) states that are not traditionally Republican or Democratic. The attention of the US and the world is thus focused on Michigan, Georgia, North Carolina, Nevada, Arizona, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.
N. Ž.
