Good morning from Washington, Florida.

The final countdown of the US elections has started, with all polls projecting an electoral thriller in the last 24 hours before the presidential elections.

Seven swing states - most notably Pennsylvania - will be critical to electing the next US president, as the race between Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump appears to be too close to call.

Trump has not excluded questioning the result of the election, as he has already made public accusations of fraud in Pennsylvania. 

In the last few days, Trump has approached the working class and sent optimistic messages, saying his new mandate will bring a new “golden era.” 

However, critics in the US suggest that his “excessive” focus on migration in the last week and the attacks against journalists may have a cost for the Republican candidate among undecided liberal voters.

For her part, Harris rallied Arab Americans in the battleground state of Michigan, pledging to do everything in her power to end the war in Gaza if elected.

Although Europe will be heavily affected by the US citizens’ decision, its presence in the US debate is low, writes Alexandra Brzozowski from Washington.

Reporting from Florida, Euractiv’s Sarantis Michalopoulos spoke to Trump supporters to see how they see Europe.

Two different worlds are clashing in the US and their coexistence after the elections will be crucial for the West’s stability as well as democracy. 

Meanwhile in Berlin, Germany’s government coalition is bracing for a showdown one day after American elections. 

The first four hearings of the future Commissioners took place on Monday (4 November) without any real surprises. 

Commissioner-designate for trade Maroš Šefčovič told MEPs he would “fight” for ensuring a level playing field with China - and "stand up" for Europe's interests if "faced with disruptive scenarios" after today's US presidential elections. 

Luxembourg’s Christophe Hansen is poised to become the next EU farming chief, after smoothly navigating his hearing, addressing questions on CAP reform, Ukraine’s accession and a possible trading scheme for agriculture. 

Meanwhile, Maltese commissioner-designate for Youth and sport Glenn Micallef faced questions on transgender participation in women's sports, children’s mental health and other delicate issues at his hearing. 

Finally, Greece’s designated transport commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas secured approval from Transport Committee (TRAN) MEPs despite references to the 2023 Tempi train crash in Central Greece. 

For this second day of hearings, you can follow Euractiv's coverage on our live blog. 

On the programme today is the eagerly-awaited hearing of Austria’s Magnus Brunner for commissioner for internal affairs and migration, where he will outline his plans to tackle the EU's migration policy amid internal security concerns. 

Also coming up today are the auditions of Ireland’s Michael McGrath (Democracy, Justice, and the Rule of Law), Bulgaria’s Ekaterina Zaharieva  (Startups, Research and Innovation), Denmark’s Dan Jørgensen (Energy & Housing), Croatia’s Dubravka Šuica (Mediterranean) and Sweden’s Jessika Roswall (Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy). 

BERLIN

Germany's government could collapse on Wednesday, when Europe faces uncertainty following the United States elections, while the Social Democrats and Greens are urging their coalition partner, the Free Democrats (FDP), to act responsibly. Read more.

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PARIS

Kazakhstan president to visit France to talk all things nuclear. Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s state visit to France on Tuesday comes a month exactly after a referendum confirmed Astana would build its very first civil nuclear plant – and Paris is ready to do all it can to help secure a deal for EDF, the French energy mogul. Read more.

ROME

European Greens challenge Fitto’s nomination as Meloni remains positive. Greens co-chair Terry Reintke has cast doubt on Raffaele Fitto's suitability to take up the post of European Commission vice-president in the new von der Leyen Commission ahead of his hearing before MEPs on Tuesday, although the Italian government remains positive. Read more.

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MADRID

Spanish government blames far-right groups for violence in flood-hit Valencia. A small group of violent far-right activists is behind Sunday's violence in Paiporta, the area worst hit by last week's severe flooding in the Valencia region, Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said on Monday. Read more.

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LISBON

EV charging on Portugal's public grid costs twice as much as at home. Charging electric vehicles on Portugal's public grid can be twice as expensive as charging at home, according to a study by the Católica Lisbon School of Business & Economics, which blames "reduced competition" in the market. Read more.

PRAGUE

A common intelligence service at EU level is unrealistic, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala (ODS, ECR) told Euractiv Czechia, amid a debate on the EU's preparedness for future security crises. Read more.

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WARSAW

An expert says the US elections are 'most important ever' for Poland and Central Europe. Poland and all of Central Europe face the most important American election ever, adding that Trump could blackmail Ukraine's allies if he wins. Read more.

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BRATISLAVA

Slovak opposition parties slam Fico’s ‘strategic partnership’ with China. As the Slovak delegation led by Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD/NI) ends its visit to China, opposition parties expressed concerns about Bratislava's newly established 'strategic partnership' with Beijing, warning of potential risks for Slovakia's domestic affairs and its reputation in the West. Read more.

SOFIA

Bulgaria starts constructing an ‘irreversible’ nuclear project with US reactors. On Monday, the Bulgarian government began constructing two nuclear reactors using US technology, signing the first major contract worth nearly $350 million - a deal that Energy Minister Vladimir Malinov said made the nuclear project irreversible. Read more.

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BUCHAREST | CHISINAU

Bucharest says Sandu scored a 'huge victory' over Putin's propaganda machine. Romanian officials celebrated Maia Sandu's second presidential term on Sunday, insisting that Moldova now has an "extraordinary opportunity" to advance its EU integration despite the opposition in Moldova rejecting the results. Read more.

• EU: Economic and Financial Affairs Council convenes to discuss Recovery and Resilience Facility, climate finance, VAT in the digital age, and more;
• Commission Vice President Vĕra Jourová speaks at the “Degrees of disinformation” conference in Prague, Czechia;
• International Partnerships Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen attends the Africa-Europe Foundation (AEF) high-level group meeting;

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[Edited by Sarantis Michalopoulos, Daniel Eck, Alice Taylor-Braçe]