Washington (AFP)
In the United States, the business and financial communities are anxiously awaiting election night, fearing prolonged uncertainty or a narrow outcome that could trigger riots and violence.
"I am worried about the risk of civil unrest across the country, as our nation is so divided and election results will potentially take days or weeks to be finalized," Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg said.
For the social network, the election is a test when it is forced to prove to have really learned the lessons of 2016, when massive disinformation campaigns, some of which piloted from Russia, had used the networks to disseminate their propaganda.
Companies also strive to maintain the appearance of political neutrality, but they increase security and monitor any clashes between employees with divergent political views.
"This is a tough election for many companies," Allison Wood, co-director of Control Risks, told AFP.
This commercial risk consulting firm has noticed an increase in requests for additional security, both armed and unarmed.
- Anguish -
Allied Universal, another large security firm, is struggling with demands for services, from armed guards, close protection of officers, hospitals, government agencies, and even intelligence gathering.
"Given the possibility of numerous demonstrations which could turn into violence, with damage, many entrepreneurs call in private guards," said Josha Skule, one of the leaders.
In a rare common message, employers' organizations and industrial federations have also shown their concern.
While tens of millions of Americans voted by mail, "it may be days, if not weeks, before the result is confirmed," wrote these organizations, including the US Chamber of Commerce and Business. Roundtable, bringing together the largest companies in the country.
"We urge all Americans to support the process defined by law and to remain confident in our country's long tradition of peaceful and fair elections," they add.
The United States is not accustomed to excesses during elections, which generally take place peacefully.
But between the threatening speeches of extreme right-wing groups in some states, the agitation in the streets against police violence, the unpopular health restrictions in the face of Covid-19 and the fuel on the fire distilled by President Donald Trump, in particular on the postal vote, the anguish is tangible.
While arms sales have exploded by 75%, with 2.7 million purchases in June compared to 1.5 million monthly during the 2016 campaign, even some arms sellers are slacking off.
The giant of the distribution Walmart operated a waltz hesitation noticed when it temporarily withdrew the weapons from its shelves last week "as a precautionary measure for the safety of the users".
The hypermarket chain then partially reversed its decision.
- Tiffany chest -
Even Wall Street, ultra-volatile, is worried about possible social unrest.
“When you see Walmart pulling its guns from stores, there is a fear that the uncertainty could turn into something more devastating,” admits Maris Ogg, of Tower Bridge Advisors.
"Not everyone has that in mind, but I have clients calling me asking what if Trump loses and doesn't want to step down or that sort of thing?" , says this portfolio manager.
Image of the palpable fear of businesses over possible slippages after the election, Starbucks cafes, Subway sandwich shops, CVS drugstores in the capital Washington are sealed behind plywood boards as if to protect themselves from a hurricane.
Storefronts in the San Francisco shopping district are also 75% plastered, according to the local San Francisco Chronicle newspaper.
In New York, luxury brands have drawn the curtain ... of plywood, like Fendi, Montblanc, Céline, Hermes, Chanel or even Saks.
The famous storefront of luxury jeweler Tiffany was closed with caution.
"Even if we intend to remain open when possible, as a precaution, the windows of some stores will be put up in anticipation of potential unrest linked to the elections," a spokesperson for the famous spokesperson told AFP. jeweler.
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