Many world leaders speak of hope and relief after Joe Biden’s victory

Although President Donald Trump did not acknowledge defeat, relief was a common theme in many parts of the world.

“The Americans have elected a president. Congratulations @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris! We have a lot to do to meet the current challenges. Let’s work together!” – French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on the social network Twitter.

Other leaders who sent congratulations include German Chancellor Angela Merkel, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el Sissi, who said he looked forward to the opportunity to “strengthen strategic bilateral ties.”

On Saturday, Stoltenberg called Biden a “strong supporter of NATO and the transatlantic relationship” and expressed his hope to work with Biden and Harris “to further strengthen ties between North America and Europe.”

He added that “American leadership is more important than ever in this unpredictable world.”

US President Trump has harshly criticized NATO during his 2016 election campaign and has repeatedly threatened to withdraw the United States from the Alliance during his tenure.

Trump pressured members of the bloc to increase their defense spending, a priority of his predecessors, to strengthen the collective defense of NATO as a whole. He also encouraged the Alliance to shift its focus from Russia to emerging threats like China and terrorism.

New beginning

Congratulations to Biden were sent by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, whose country was important to Trump’s impeachment and Trump’s campaign attempt to accuse Biden and his family of corruption.

Most of America’s allies in the West were quick to welcome a new beginning with a new administration in Washington. The president-elect was received by Greek Prime Minister Kiriak Micotakis, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

“We are looking forward to working with another US government,” German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas wrote on Twitter. “We want to work together and make a new transatlantic start, a new deal.”

“Congratulations!” Said Chancellor Merkel. “I wish you success with all my heart.”

“Our transatlantic friendship is indispensable if we are to face the great challenges of these times,” he said in a tweet from a government spokeswoman.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, a Trump ally, congratulated Biden on his “election” and Harris on his historic achievement.

“The United States is our most important ally, and I look forward to working closely on our common priorities, from climate change to trade and security,” Johnson said.

Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin was one of the first to write a greeting on Twitter, calling Biden a “true friend” of his country.

At the time, the Israeli prime minister, Trump’s close ally Benjamin Netanyahu, called Biden a “great friend of Israel” when he greeted Biden early Sunday morning.

“I look forward to working with the two of you to further strengthen the special alliance between the United States and Israel,” Netanyahu wrote on Twitter, referring to Biden and Harris.

News of the Pennsylvania victory, which provided former Vice President Barack Obama with more than 270 votes for a total victory at Constituency College, has spread around the world on social media and live news feeds, causing joy and celebration. .

Various evaluations

There is no official response yet from China, which has been in conflict with the Trump administration over a number of issues, including trade, security and technology. But social media users appreciated the change. An entry signed by Gong Teng Xin Yi on the popular Sina Weibo social network reads: “Congratulations to Biden, an old friend of the Chinese people, for winning the election.”

Democratically and autonomously governed President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan, which China considers part of its territory, also welcomed Biden and Harris. The United States has no formal relations with Taiwan, but the Trump administration has strengthened informal ties by arranging visits to the island by its officials, which have outraged Beijing.

“The values ​​on which we build our relationship could not be stronger,” wrote Tsai Ing-wen on Twitter. “I look forward to working together for our friendship and contributions to the international community.”

Slovenia, where the American first lady Melania Trump was born, could hardly believe the outcome of the American elections. Right-wing Prime Minister Janez Janša was the only one who congratulated Trump on his victory before counting all the votes, when he said that “it is clear that the American people elected Donald Trump.”

The news was seen in various forms in Iraq. Many Iraqis recall that Biden supported the US invasion of Iraq in 2003. Activists protesting the significant influence of neighboring Iran in Iraq supported Trump and welcomed the hit to the US drone that killed an influential Iranian general at the Baghdad airport. at the beginning of this year.

However, Iraqi President Barham Salih greeted Biden on Twitter, whom he called a trusted friend and partner.

Rethink the provisions

But crackers were in the minority. Greetings flowed from both countries that did not support the Trump administration’s policy and from leaders who agreed with the Republican president but now largely ignored his statements that the election was not over.

President Moon Jae-in of South Korea, a US military ally in South Korea under pressure from Trump, welcomed Biden and Harris. “Our alliance is strong and the ties between our countries are strong. I look forward to working with you on our common values,” he wrote on Twitter.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and US-backed rival Juan Guaido congratulated Biden. Maduro wrote on Twitter that Venezuela “will always be ready to dialogue” with Washington, and Guido also thanked Trump for his “firmness and determination” in opposing Maduro.

Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan, the heir to the throne of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), close to Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, sent his best wishes to Biden on Twitter.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who publicly demonstrated his sympathy for Trump, posted a joint photo of him and Biden, and congratulated the Democrat on his “impressive victory.”

The Indian leader also highlighted K. Harris’ Indian heritage. “His success has paved the way and is a source of great pride not only for his Chit, but for all Native Americans,” he said. The Tamil word “chit” is affectionately called the younger sisters of the human mother. Harris used the word to say that he agreed to be a Democratic vice president.

Harris’s late mother was from India. The candidate mentioned her Indian heritage throughout the campaign. His election immediately resonated internationally and sparked calls in some African countries for long-term male-dominated governments to reconsider its provisions.

“Kamala Harris lights the tunnel for many women fighting for gender equality and leadership,” Anne Waiguru, one of the two governors of Kenya, wrote on Twitter. The president of the country’s Supreme Court has advised the president to remove parliament due to the shortage of women in it.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari called on Biden to address “the negative consequences of nationalist policies on global affairs, which have been broken and ignored.”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he looked forward to “tackling the world’s greatest challenges together,” Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison wished Biden and Harris “every success” and New Zealand leader Jacinda Ardern, who had repeatedly argued with Trump, congratulating Biden for emphasizing cooperation.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga emphasized security problems in the region and the world in a welcoming message.

“Thanks, Joe.”

However, several leaders who have maintained warm relations with the Trump administration have yet to welcome Biden. Among them are Brazilian populist President Jair Bolsonaro, heir to the Saudi throne Mohammed bin Salman, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.

“We will wait until all legal problems have been resolved. We do not want to be reckless. We do not want to act lightly and we want to respect self-determination and the rights of the people,” AMLopez Obrador told reporters.

So far, there has been no statement from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Many people, especially in countries with stormy policies, saw Biden’s victory as something that would enhance respect for democracy.

“This victory symbolizes hope for democracy at a time when that light is fading in many other parts of the world. It gives hope that honesty, integrity and perseverance continue to be important,” said the opposition leader of Tanzania, Zitto Kabwe, who was arrested and charged with terrorist crimes after his country’s presidential elections.

Argentine President Albert Fernández called the election of Biden and Harris “a clear declaration of the will of the people” on Twitter.

Biden’s victory also encouraged people in Central European countries ruled by populist governments and breaking democracy. Trump has been a friend of the right-wing government in Poland, and many believe his support has enabled Polish leaders to limit the independence of the judiciary.

“A brief defeat could be the beginning of the triumph of far-right populism, even in Europe,” said former European Union leader Donald Tusk, a former Polish prime minister.

“Thanks Joe,” he added.