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Nations around the world have reacted in horror to the “shameful” and “terrible” scenes unfolding in Washington after outgoing President Donald Trump’s riot supporters stormed the Capitol and clashed with police. But many US adversaries also responded with a degree of schaden coldness, even accusing Americans of tasting what they describe as the kind of instability that Washington has long been accused of exporting.
In a scene reminiscent of violations of institutions in countries such as Kyrgyzstan and Ghana, angry supporters of the president stormed the Capitol building on Wednesday, reaching the floor of the House, in a chaotic protest aimed at thwarting the peaceful transfer of the power to the president. -Choose Joe Biden. Trump continues to question the election results and has asked his supporters “not to give up the fight.”
Police quickly evacuated lawmakers to safe locations, including Vice President Mike Pence, and closed the building. Officers drew weapons and fired tear gas at the enraged crowd and one person fired during the skirmishes. National Guard troops were subsequently deployed and a city-wide curfew was called for shortly after dark as rioters continued to occupy the capital.
America’s longtime allies were horrified at the scene. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has had a cordial relationship with the president, urged an end to the “shameful scenes in the US Congress.”
“The United States defends democracy around the world and it is now vital that there be a peaceful and orderly transfer of power,” he wrote on Twitter.
Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer also condemned what he described as “horrendous scenes”.
“These are not ‘protesters,’ this is a direct attack on democracy and lawmakers who carry out the will of the American people,” he wrote on Twitter.
In a similar vein, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Washington was witnessing “shocking scenes” and said the result of the “democratic” elections must be respected.
But the scenes in Washington also bolstered other nations that have long criticized what they describe as US interference in the political affairs of others. “With this unfortunate episode, the United States suffers the same thing that it has generated in other countries with its policies of aggression,” the Venezuelan government said in a statement.
Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said the chaos showed the flaws in the types of government that he said the West has long tried to export. “We have seen what happens when rivalries turn extreme,” he said in a speech Thursday. “What we witnessed last night and today in the United States showed how weak and fragile Western democracy is, and how weak its foundation is.”
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison also condemned the ‘harrowing scenes’ that took place on Capitol Hill. He tweeted: “Very distressing scenes in the United States Congress. We condemn these acts of violence and look forward to a peaceful transfer from government to the newly elected administration in the great American democratic tradition. “
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Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was closely monitoring the situation.
“We are obviously concerned and we are following the situation minute by minute,” Trudeau told Vancouver radio station News 1130. “I believe that American democratic institutions are strong and I hope that everything will return to normal shortly.”
Pointing to Trump, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas blamed the violence on inflammatory rhetoric. “The enemies of democracy will be delighted by these terrible images from Washington DC,” he wrote on Wednesday.
“Trump and his supporters must finally accept the decision of the American voters and stop trampling on democracy.”
Jean-Yves Le Drian, France’s foreign minister, also called on Trump supporters to respect the vote. The president of the European Parliament, David Sassoli, who heads one of the largest legislatures in the world, also denounced the events in the Capitol. The European Union has had four cold years dealing with Trump, and its top officials have repeatedly said they hoped for a better relationship with Biden.
In fact, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, tweeted: “I believe in the strength of America’s institutions and democracy. The peaceful transition of power is essential. @JoeBiden won the elections.”
“I look forward to working with him as the next president of the United States.”
The President of the European Parliament, David Sassoli, who heads one of the largest legislatures in the world, also denounced the events on Capitol Hill. The European Union has had four cold years dealing with Trump, and its top officials have repeatedly said they hoped for a better relationship with Biden.
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