Eight years ago, we were euphoric at the Depardieu gallery; four years ago, we experienced the re-election of Obama with a kind of quiet happiness. This time, it is bitterness that prevails.
When you love America, as I do, you cannot witness the victory of a racist, sexist, and climate-skeptic with a light heart. But this is not just an issue concerning Americans: this reality TV master without a real program is now the head of state of the world’s greatest power, which with him, is going to become more and more uncertain, and therefore dangerous.
Only consolation: like Brexit, protest populism will find itself in a position of management and thus be up against the wall.
It is possible that these electoral victories will expose its deceptions and ultimately serve as its swan song. The demonstration is likely to be costly, but it may burst the abscess.
But, make no mistake, the road will be long and extraordinarily dangerous (moving from populism to fascism is not inevitable, but a slip can always occur).
In any case, this outlook, which will require great vigilance on the part of humanist democrats, must positively mobilize us.
by Patrick Mottard
