US congressional elections: The Republicans are now threatened with power struggles

In the American congressional elections, there was no tailwind for a comeback by ex-President Trump. Republicans must brace themselves for power struggles within the party.

The champagne bottles were undoubtedly chilled at Mar-a-Lago. Alone: ​​The popping of the corks should have sounded much more muted than planned. Donald Trump’s Republican Party has victories, but no triumphs. The much-vaunted “red wave”: It didn’t materialize. The reminder to Joe Bidens: He turned out to be lighter than expected. And that goes home, above all, with the man who had hoped that this election would give him considerable momentum for his comeback.

Donald Trump’s face is likely to have gotten longer and longer on election night: the handpicked loyalists he had sent into the race with great pomp did not ignite as hoped: TV doctor Dr. Oz failed in Pennsylvania; the Republican candidates for governor in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Maryland failed; – possibly also the Trump-loyal Hershel Walker in Georgia and Kari Lake in Arizona. Walkthrough looks different. Above all, however, there were Republican victories that delighted the party but may have spoiled Trump’s mood.

Trump’s competitors triumphed

Brian Kemp, who two years ago refused to turn the presidential election in Trump’s favor and should therefore be politically destroyed by Trump, won confidently in Georgia. And in Florida, Ron DeSantis clinched the evening’s most spectacular election victory with his triumphant confirmation as governor. The DeSantis, who is touted as Trump’s closest competitor in the 2024 presidential race.

Apparently there is an appetite for non-Trump Trumpism in the Republican Party. Not only DeSantis should understand the result as an encouragement to actually throw down the gauntlet at Trump in the primaries. Mike Pence also backed the right horse: he demonstratively supported Trump’s opponent Brian Kemp during the election campaign.

Republicans are threatened with intra-party power struggles

And so the Republicans emerge from this election strengthened by their successes, but also irritated: why did their lead fall short of expectations? And is Trump, with his fixation on the past, losing the 2020 election, really a man of the future?

The GOP’s opposition work is becoming easier, governing for Biden more difficult. But first and foremost, the Republicans must brace themselves for power struggles within the party. Trump’s thin-skinned approach to DeSantis, whom he sees as a foster child, speaks volumes. The strongman of Florida should already have the dagger in his robe.