Russians are watching the presidential elections in the USA with interest, where on November 5 Americans will go to vote for a new leader of the country. The candidates for president are former president Donald Trump and current vice president Kamala Harris, who replaced Joe Biden after he exited the race. The candidates' positions on key issues have attracted the attention of Russians, particularly their differing approaches to foreign policy and relations with Russia.
Key positions of the candidates
Kamala Harris promises to continue supporting Ukraine and to support Israel. She also plans reforms aimed at improving conditions for American workers and businesses, with a focus on social programs. In turn, Trump, a proponent of strict immigration policies and tax breaks for businesses, claims that he will end the conflict in Ukraine before his inauguration and 'seal' the border.
The battle for swing states
The fate of the elections will be decided by the votes of the electors, of which there are a total of 538. To win, a candidate must receive the support of 270 electors, and the votes from so-called swing states—Pennsylvania, Michigan, Arizona, and others—become especially important.
Vote counting and possible complications
The voting and counting process differs by state, and although the winner may become known shortly after the polls close, the final count can take weeks. In the case of a close outcome, challenges to the results are possible. Also, while the likelihood of a tie is low, it could lead to a decision in the House of Representatives, where Republicans hold the majority.
Many Russians, assessing the electoral struggle in the USA, doubt the possibility of a smooth transfer of power, especially considering Trump's hints at a 'plan' in case of defeat.
