Washington: World leaders swiftly congratulated US President-elect Joe Biden on his victory Saturday, cheering it as an opportunity to fortify global democracy and celebrating the significance of Americans having their first woman vice president.
Although US President Donald Trump did not concede defeat, relief was a common theme expressed in many parts of the world to the news that his reelection bid had failed.
The Americans have chosen their President. Congratulations @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris! We have a lot to do to overcome today’s challenges. Let’s work together! tweeted French President Emmanuel Macron.
Other leaders who sent congratulations included German Chancellor Angela Merkel, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi. The president of Ukraine, whose country was central to Trump’s impeachment and an attempt by the Trump campaign to paint Biden and his family as corrupt, offered speedy congratulations.
Most Western allies quickly welcomed a fresh start with a new administration in Washington.
We’re looking forward to working with the next U.S. government, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas tweeted. We want to work in our cooperation for a new trans-Atlantic beginning, a New Deal.
Word of the victory in Pennsylvania that pushed Barack Obama’s former vice president past the threshold of 270 Electoral College votes needed to take over the Oval Office cascaded around the globe on social media and live news broadcasts, sparking celebrations.
But the election’s outcome inspired disbelief in Slovenia, the homeland of first lady Melania Trump. Prime Minister Janez Jansa was the only world leader who congratulated Trump even before all the votes were counted, and continued to show support after Biden’s win was announced.
It also drew mixed reviews in Iraq. Many Iraqis remember Biden as having been a champion of the US invasion of Iraq in 2003. Activists who have been protesting neighbouring Iran’s heavy hand in Iraq, had supported Trump and cheered the US assassination of Iran’s top general in an airstrike at Baghdad’s airport at the beginning of the year.
Still, Iraqi President Barham Salih tweeted his congratulations to Biden, describing him as a friend and trusted partner.
Indeed, detractors were outliers. Congratulations poured in from nations that disagreed with Trump administration policies, as well as from leaders who had gotten along with the Republican president but now were essentially ignoring his claims that the divisive election wasn’t over.
United Arab Emirates’ Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who was particularly cozy with Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, extended his best wishes to Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on Twitter.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has been known for public displays of bonhomie with Trump, shared a photo of himself with Biden and offered his congratulations on your spectacular victory! .
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, another Trump ally, hailed Biden’s win and said he looked forward to working closely together on our shared priorities, from climate change to trade and security.
Both Modi and Johnson commented on Harris’ election as the first Black woman vice president.
Modi celebrated Harris’ pathbreaking success and said her win is a matter of immense pride for all Indian-Americans.
Harris’ late mother was from India. Kamala is Sanskrit for lotus flower, and Harris gave nods to her Indian heritage throughout the campaign.
Her election struck an immediate chord internationally. It inspired calls in parts of Africa for governments long run by men to think again. (AP)
