World leaders congratulate Biden and Harris on election win

Democrat Joe Biden captured the US presidency on Saturday, several major television networks said, as voters narrowly rebuffed Republican incumbent Donald Trump’s tumultuous leadership and embraced Biden’s promise to fight the coronavirus pandemic and fix the economy in a divided nation.

As crowds poured onto the streets of Washington and other cities in exuberant celebration and former US president Barack Obama hailed Biden’s win as “decisive” and “historic”, here are some of the first reactions from political figures across the globe:

South Africa calls for deepening bonds of friendship and cooperation

We congratulate President-Elect @JoeBiden and Vice President @KamalaHarris and the American people on your election. We look forward to working with you and deepening our bonds of friendship and cooperation. pic.twitter.com/aajOxmL8KI

— Cyril Ramaphosa ???? #StaySafe (@CyrilRamaphosa) November 7, 2020

UK congratulates Biden and Harris, vows climate action

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson congratulated Joe Biden “on his election” as US president and Biden’s running mate Kamala Harris “on her historic achievement”.

“The US is our most important ally and I look forward to working closely together on our shared priorities, from climate change to trade and security,” Johnson tweeted, after US networks called the race for Biden over President Donald Trump.

In a statement, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said: “President Trump fought hard in what proved a close contest.”

He anticipated working with the Biden administration on issues such as the Covid-19 pandemic, as Britain prepares to take over the G7 presidency next year and to host the UN’s next global climate policy gathering, COP 26.

Biden has vowed to rejoin the UN’s Paris Agreement on climate change after Trump abandoned it.

France’s Macron congratulates Biden, ready to ‘work together’

“We have a lot to do to overcome today’s challenges. Let’s work together!,” French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted after major US media networks announced Biden’s victory over incumbent Donald Trump.

Germany’s Merkel congratulates Biden, Harris

“I look forward to future cooperation with President Biden,” German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in a statement posted on Twitter. “Our transatlantic friendship is irreplaceable if we are to master the great challenges of our time.”

Merkel, the first female leader of Germany, stressed that Harris would be her country’s first elected female Vice-President.

Canada PM Trudeau congratulates Joe Biden on White House win

“I look forward to working with President-elect Biden, Vice President-elect (Kamala) Harris, their administration, and the United States Congress as we tackle the world’s greatest challenges together,” Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement.

Trudeau has had a frequently stormy relationship with Trump, who once tweeted the Canadian leader was “very dishonest & weak” over a dispute on US tariffs.

The United States is Canada’s largest trading partner, with US$1.8 billion flowing across the border each day.

Spain’s Prime Minister Sanchez congratulates Joe Biden on Twitter

“The American people have chosen the 46th President of the United States. Congratulations @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris. We wish you good luck and all the best. We are looking forward to cooperating with you to tackle the challenges ahead of us,” Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez tweeted.

Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin

“I offer warmest congratulations to Joe Biden on his election as the 46th President of the United States. Ireland takes pride in Joe Biden’s election, just as we are proud of all the generations of Irish women and Irish men and their ancestors whose toil and genius have enriched the diversity that powers America.”

“Joe Biden has always been a stalwart friend and supporter of Ireland, including of the prosperity, stability and opportunity made possible by the Good Friday Agreement, to which he has pledged his ongoing steadfast support.”

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis

“Congratulations to US President-Elect @JoeBiden. Joe Biden has been a true friend of Greece and I’m certain that under his presidency the relationship between our countries will grow even stronger.”

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo tweeted: “Congratulations @JoeBiden with your election as 46th President of the United States. A record number of people have cast their vote in this election. This illustrates the vibrancy of the American political life and its democracy.”

EU chiefs congratulate Biden, urge closer US ties

European Union leaders Charles Michel and Ursula von der Leyen hailed Joe Biden’s election as president of the United States and called for stronger trans-Atlantic ties.

“We take note of the latest development in the electoral process,” said Michel, president of the European Council, which represents the leaders of EU member states.

“On this basis the EU congratulates President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on reaching enough Electoral Votes.”

– AFP and Reuters