Key pledges made by Harris will be welcomed by many in Europe, but there is still plenty to play for in the US presidential elections.
ADVERTISEMENTDuring the Democratic Convention in Chicago this week, and on a new tidal wave of enthusiasm, the Democrats manifesto for 2024 was published. The 92 page text pledges to ‘stand with Ukraine’ and ‘strengthen NATO’.
“Democrats will join our European partners in standing up to a revanchist Russia. We will not allow Moscow to interfere in our democracies or chip away at our resolve”, it states, albeit on the 89th page.
For European officials watching the US election campaign from afar, this is music to their ears. Although officials would not go on the record endorsing Kamala Harris, it is no secret that apart from the Hungarian Prime Minister, the majority of EU governments do not want another Trump presidency. Donald Trump was seen as anti-EU and in favour of Brexit.
Robin de Wouters, the spokesperson for Democrats Abroad told Euronews he was surprised to see Joe Biden pull out of the race so late in the game but is excited about the Harris-Walz ticket.
“The past month or four weeks has been extremely rich in developments since the 21st of July and the unexpected drop out of President Biden, but I think Vice President Kamala Harris is really like picking up all the steam that she can, she’s blown up the records in terms of, money, donations and so on.”
Since stepping into the ring, Kamala Harris has raised over 300 million dollars and 150,000 new volunteers have joined her camp, according to de Wouters who says he is nervous as the election will remain tough.
“Europe wants predictability from the United States, especially at a time of war in Europe and other stresses around the world.”, Ian Lesser, the vice president of the German Marshall Fund tells Euronews whilst warning that the outcome is by no means clear yet.
“Obviously, there’s a lot of energy and enthusiasm behind, the new Democratic ticket. But that doesn’t change the fact that Trump still has a very strong and rather unshakable base in certain places.”
Lesser warns that the misunderstandings between Brussels and DC won’t go anywhere despite who takes over the White House and that foreign policy is not a ‘driver or the race’ and rarely even see in American politics.
Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are set to debate together on 10 September.
