New York: Mamdani as Trump's next big rival?
The US's largest city will be governed by Democrat Zohran Mamdani. The 34-year-old politician describes himself as a "democratic socialist" and has promised free buses, free childcare and to freeze some rents. In his victory speech he addressed the US president directly, presenting himself as his new major rival. For the European press, the significance of the election goes far beyond the Big Apple.
Threats from the White House speak volumes
For Večernji list, Trump's threats to cut funds for New York are a sign of his fear:
“Trump is nervous because the charismatic 34-year-old, who was virtually unknown just a year ago, could make life very difficult for him if the Democrats - buoyed by Mamdani's image - win a majority in Congress in next autumn's midterm elections. This is probably why Trump came straight out and threatened New York with cutting its state funding if the Democrat, the 'communist' Mamdani, won the election. Trump declared that with Mamdani as mayor, New York would have no chance of developing or surviving.”
The perfect foil
Donald Trump won't fail to exploit Mamdani's victory, journalist Alan Friedmann worries in La Stampa:
“Trump's communications team could use Mamdani to portray the entire Democratic Party as 'communist' and make him the face of democratic socialism and Antifa. Mamdani is perfect: young, a proud socialist, the son of immigrants. He is pro-tenant, pro-union and anti-Wall Street. He speaks the language of social movements. In short, exactly the kind of progressive figure that Trump can turn into a caricature: Antifa. Communist. Radical. Bogeyman. The campaign speeches practically write themselves.”
Effective policies a nightmare for Trump
The future mayor of New York could be a boon or a bane for Trump, Politiken points out:
“Trump will use Mamdani's election to argue that crazy socialists are turning America's largest cities into criminal hellholes where it's dangerous to walk the streets. ... But his worst nightmare that Mamdani's policies could quickly prove effective. That he might be able to maintain the voters' enthusiasm while delivering results that make everyday life easier for hard-working New Yorkers.”
Frustrated voters can swing both ways
For Die Zeit, the outcome teaches an important lesson:
“Many people who vote for right-wing populists are not themselves ideologues. Yes, there is a hard core of white MAGA fanatics in the staunchly Republican states of the US, just as there are die-hard AfD supporters in Germany and Nigel Farage ultras in the UK. But they were not the driving force behind Donald Trump's victory in 2024. He won because he attracted new frustrated voters among white workers, Black people, Latinos, Asians and even Muslims - because people were sick of the high prices and wanted to protest against what they perceived as the Biden administration's overly liberal immigration policy. ... These voters can turn their backs on right-wing populists just as quickly as they turned to them.”
It's always the rich and Israel who are to blame
The Times draws negative parallels between election winner Zohran Mamdani and Zack Polanski, leader of the British Green Party:
“The story both are telling is that the ills of the world are caused by rich people and the State of Israel. Both are tapping into a resentment among young people that they've been priced out of the housing market and are being clobbered by the cost of higher education. Both are tapping into the wave of anti-Israel feeling, indifferent to the resulting blowback on the Jews in both America and Britain - even though Polanski is himself Jewish. Their messaging is clear because it's simplistic. It consists of a magic-money-tree wish list, an infantile fantasy of social justice and the brotherhood of man.”