The debacle of the century about Trump friend Kevin McCarthy in 4 points Crazy scene on New Year’s Eve in Berlin – man shoots nine times in the air during a TV interview

That happened

After the US parliamentary elections in November, Congress met for the first time in a new configuration on Tuesday. Republicans took power in the House of Representatives. As usual, when the House of Representatives is reconstituted, a new chairman is first elected. The position is considered the third most important in American politics, after that of president and vice president.

Until there is clarity about the presidency, nothing works: the Chamber of Congress cannot begin its work, not even the new MPs can be sworn in. Kevin McCarthy, the Republican party leader, was the designated successor to Democrat Nancy Pelosi. But in the run-up to Tuesday’s elections, it was already clear that the 57-year-old could face an extremely difficult situation.

And the dark omens from the Republican perspective were followed by an even darker reality – but the conservatives are entirely to blame for this. McCarthy failed to secure a majority in three ballots. He would have needed at least 218 votes out of 434. But because there are dissenters within his party who do not want McCarthy to run the House of Representatives, the Californian did not even come close to an absolute majority. This is absolutely historic and last happened exactly one hundred years ago.

This is how McCarthy responds

McCarthy had shown himself belligerent shortly before the meeting, saying: “I hold the record for the longest speech in plenary.” He has no problem setting a record for most ballots in a vote for the presidency of the House of Representatives.

It is precisely this record that “threatens” the 57-year-old. Because whether those Republicans who previously supported him will remain loyal does not seem obvious. However, McCarthy wants to keep fighting and reaffirmed his will to become chairman after the embarrassing defeat. He told journalists he was still in the running.

Despite his displays of perseverance, McCarthy could not hide his frustration during the House vote.

What now

After three failed rounds of voting, the US House of Representatives will vote further this Wednesday on the most powerful post in the US parliament. Again, until the Speaker of the House of Representatives is elected, the US House of Representatives is essentially incapacitated.

Despite the disgrace, McCarthy continues to face the selection process. And according to his own statement, his main supporter still seems to have his back. He spoke to ex-President Donald Trump, McCarthy said Tuesday, and still supports him.

But intense negotiations are likely to take place behind the scenes. It is also possible that a new candidate will be elected and drafted that a majority of Republicans can agree with.

These alternatives to McCarthy could exist

One name that keeps coming up is Steve Scalise. The Republican is already part of the party leadership. He had been behind McCarthy on Tuesday. Elise Stefanik is also mentioned. She was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2014 as the youngest woman at the time and was considered a moderate. She is now one of ex-President Donald Trump’s ironclad supporters.

However, right-wing Trump supporters in the Republican faction favor Congressman Jim Jordan. He was already eligible for election on Tuesday and won votes from McCarthy. Jordan emphasized after the debacle during the vote that he himself did not want to become chairman of the House of Representatives. The far right should also not be a viable compromise candidate for many in the party.

However, it seems impossible that a Democrat could become president. To do this, he would need votes from the Republican party, as Democrats are generally outnumbered, which seems highly unlikely despite all the internal bickering. (con)

With material from the SDA and DPA news agencies.