World leaders around the globe have tuned in to the American 2020 election, here are their first thoughts.
The projected results from the 2020 election hit American media at approximately 8:45 a.m. on Saturday, gaining a mixed response from not only Americans but other worldwide leaders as well.
Many world leaders have reached out to comment on this election; whether that be through social media or a direct phone call.
Boris Johnson, the United Kingdom Prime Minister, congratulated Biden and Harris on their projected win in a phone call as well as in a public statement. He further stated that, “the US is our most important ally,” and that he’s looking forward to closely working together with Biden and Harris on their “shared priorities.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also joined the congratulatory train with his statement saying, “I’m really looking forward to working together and building on that with you both.” Trudeau and Trump had a rocky relationship to say the least, but Trudeau is excited to work alongside Biden and Harris saying, “We share a relationship that’s unique on the world stage.”
Various other leaders such as German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron and Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin all issued statements about their hope to continue working together with Biden and Harris to, “overcome today’s challenges,” President Macron says.
India, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Israel, Jamaica, Kenya and Fiji have also congratulated Biden and Harris on their win and are hopeful to see rifts be bridged. More important is their desire to continue to work towards results of climate change through partnering with Biden’s plans for the Green New Deal.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu followed suit with his congratulatory message coming after most other world leaders had already sent their own congratulations. In a separate Tweet, Netanyahu also thanked President Trump for, “the friendship you have shown the state of Israel and me personally … and for bringing the American-Israeli alliance to unprecedented heights.” Israel was Trump’s closest ally during his term. Netanyahu will have to work closely with Biden to build up trust and strengthen the “special alliance” between the United States and Israel.
In 2016, Kremlin Vladimir Putin of Russia called to congratulate Trump on his win almost immediately but has remained silent at Biden’s projected win. The spokesperson for the Kremlin filled in for his lack of a statement saying that Moscow will be waiting on the official election results before issuing a formal statement.
Joining Putin in having no statement towards Biden’s win includes Chinese President Xi Jinping. Jinping formed a friendship with Trump during his time as president and has since declined any questions regarding a congratulatory message to Biden and Harris.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador have all either made statements explaining their desire to wait on official declarations before offering congratulations or have said nothing at all.
Ultimately, there is a mixed reaction to the 2020 American election — especially with claims of there being copious amounts of illegal ballots and the current Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, claiming that, “There will be a smooth transition to a second Trump administration,” while many world leaders are choosing to move forward with the projected election results.
Regardless of world leaders’ individual opinions on the election, many have reached out to start to start moving forward.