Mid-term elections in the United States: long queues in front of polling stations – live ticker

"There will be no radical political change"

Martin Klepper is professor of American literature and culture at the Humboldt University of Berlin. He believes that the chances are slim that the Senate falls into the hands of Democrats. And: "Even if the Democrats return to the House of Representatives, Trump can continue to put a lot of things in the Senate," Klepper said. Democrats, in his view, could resort to more investigative commissions when they won the House of Representatives. In this case, for example, Trump 's relations with Russia, the Saudi royal family and other financial ties could be revealed, said the US expert. So the Democrats could make life more difficult for the president.

German-American relations are currently at a low point, according to Klepper. We do not know what else to expect from Trump. "Especially since he can make trade policy relatively alone.For this he does not even need the House of Representatives or the Senate." For tariffs, the President of the United States alone can do a lot. For many Europeans and Germans, this could still be a sign of hope "if Democrats pick up a little more weight and if you have the prospect that something is changing" .