Wolfgang Ischinger, the German diplomat and chairman of the Munich Security Conference, described the results of the United States mid‑term elections as a “huge opportunity” for Europe in a statement to Deutschlandfunk on Friday. He noted that the significant gains made by the Democratic Party will allow European states to establish contacts with a large number of newly elected U.S. senators and representatives once the new Congress convenes in January. Ischinger urged that Germany and other European countries take advantage of the transition period by sending as many delegations as possible to Washington. The delegations would meet with U.S. legislators, civil‑society organisations and, in parallel, with the administration of President Donald Trump. “We should start negotiations with members of Congress, civil society and also with the Trump administration,” he said. He pointed to early indications of a shift in U.S. politics, citing the example of Vice‑President‑elect JD Vance, who is positioning himself as a potential Trump successor in the 2028 presidential election. “There are already signs of this shift,” Ischinger added. The German diplomat said he would like to invite as many new American senators as possible to the February Munich security conference, particularly those involved in foreign, security or defence policy. He also stressed the importance of encouraging U.S. lawmakers to visit Ukraine, adding, “We have no idea what the war actually is.” Ischinger suggested that the Republican Party’s defeat could signal the beginning of the end for Donald Trump’s MAGA movement. He explained that the “Make America Great Again” slogan had created a distinct regime that is now disintegrating. “I dare say that in a few years we will refer to the MAGA movement as a phenomenon that existed in the 2020s but no longer exists,” he said.
Article source: Magyar Hirlap | Image credit: Magyar Hirlap