The Mamdani effect on American politics
The victory of Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old Muslim candidate who identifies as a "socialist"—a taboo word in the United States—in the New York City mayoral election represents a true political earthquake for the country, with consequences that are still too early to fully grasp. On the one hand, it represents a victory for the most radical and nonconformist wing of the Democratic Party against the New York liberal establishment that had always dominated it. This election, like that of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as a member of the House of Representatives in its day, deepens American political polarization, a scenario in which Donald Trump has already shown he is comfortable. But there is something very interesting about Mamdani's victory that will have to be followed closely. His campaign was not based on the so-called "culture war" but rather focused on people's basic needs, primarily housing and public transportation. That is why he defines himself as a "socialist democrat" and does not so much fit the profile of a progressive that the right tries to discredit with that adjective. wokeFocusing on people's real problems and running a dynamic, energetic, and even entertaining campaign has achieved what seemed impossible just a few months ago: Manhattan, home to some of the world's greatest fortunes, voted overwhelmingly for a "socialist" candidate. It also highlights that New York's problems are the same as those faced by any other metropolis in the world, including Barcelona: how to ensure that its inhabitants can live with dignity and are not forced out of cities that have increasingly become tourist attractions and hubs for real estate speculation.
The US election day, however, was not limited to New York. Democratic candidates also won state elections in Virginia, New Jersey, California, and Pennsylvania. While these are traditionally Democratic states, these elections demonstrated that the Democratic base is much more mobilized than the Republican base, likely because the former's level of indignation is far greater than the latter's level of satisfaction. If the same phenomenon as in 2017 repeats itself, in next year's midterm elections, Democrats will be in a position to wrest control of Congress from the Republicans, thus limiting Donald Trump's power in the second half of his term.
The year remaining before the elections will serve to gauge the extent of the Mamdani effect, who will assume the office of mayor of New York on January 1st. His policies, and especially his communication style and approach to politics, can serve as inspiration for many Democratic candidates, who for the first time in the last year are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. However, we must also be prepared for Trump's maneuvers to prevent that possible Democratic victory.
