Shemaine Bushnell Kyriakides
With the U.S. election just a day away, the world is on edge. This isn’t just a choice between two candidates; it's about the future direction of the United States and how that might echo across the globe, including in Europe and Cyprus. The recent meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides highlighted Washington’s support for a fair, bi-zonal, bi-communal solution in Cyprus. Yet, how long that support lasts depends heavily on the outcome of tomorrow’s vote.
A Trump victory would introduce uncertainties for Cyprus, especially concerning Turkish-Cypriot relations and the ongoing tension in the Eastern Mediterranean. Trump has shown a certain affinity for strongmen leaders, including Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. This has led some in Cyprus to fear that a Trump administration may indirectly support Ankara's interests, including control over disputed Mediterranean resources. A more isolationist U.S. foreign policy would deprioritize European issues, potentially weakening NATO and the EU’s coordinated response to Turkey’s actions near Cyprus.
In contrast, a win for Vice President Kamala Harris could mean a continuation of Biden’s policies, which align closely with European priorities for peace and security in the region. Biden's administration has openly supported Cyprus in resisting Turkey’s regional assertiveness, emphasizing energy and defense cooperation between the U.S. and EU, which Cyprus has benefited from. A Harris administration is expected to maintain this course, reinforcing stability and collaborative defense initiatives that Cyprus values.
The stakes are high as well within the U.S., where the demographic and political landscape is rapidly shifting. Traditionally Republican states like Georgia are leaning more Democratic, which signals a country in a state of change. The election itself has become a stage for billionaires and celebrities alike, from Elon Musk supporting Trump to Hollywood icons like Tom Hanks backing Harris. Both candidates are rolling out celebrity supporters, and each side has polarized the public in ways not seen in recent history. Trump even went so far as to criticize high-profile Republicans like Liz Cheney, which has only added fuel to the already fiery race.
Cyprus also watches with concern the growing divisions within America. Trump’s rhetoric and influence have stirred passions, with fears among some Americans that, if he loses, Trump may not quietly accept the result. Police forces across the country are preparing for the possibility of unrest, hoping to prevent another event like the January 6 Capitol riot. As the U.S. faces an election that many say will define its future, Cyprus and Europe brace for the ripple effects. The election may very well set the stage for the next era of global alliances and power dynamics—one that will certainly impact Europe’s southernmost edge.
And now, only time will tell. November 5th is the big day, though with the candidates running neck and neck, we may not even know the outcome until a few days later.
