WASHINGTON: Governments and political leaders around the world have reacted to the Democrats’ victory in the US midterm elections, with some viewing the results as a potential shift in Washington’s domestic and foreign policy direction.
Democrats seized control of the US Congress on Wednesday, capturing the Senate and House of Representatives in a stunning victory.
The European Parliament’s Vice President Christel Schaldemose said on X: “Not because everything now changes for the better, but because it could benefit the support for Ukraine, the green transition, and relations with the rest of the world.”
“But the EU must continue the course of standing stronger and standing on its own two feet. That’s not up for debate,” Schaldemose stated.
Vildt resultat i USA i nat! Jeg er forsigtig optimist på Europas vegne. Ikke fordi alt nu ændrer sig til det bedre, men fordi det kan gavne støtten til Ukraine, den grønne omstilling og forholdet til omverdenen. Men EU skal fortsætte kursen om at stå stærkere og stå på egne ben. Det er ikke til debat. #eudk #Midterms2026
— Christel Schaldemose (@SchaldemoseMEP) November 4, 2026
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said a sweeping victory for Democrats in US midterm elections represented an opportunity for the world to “unite” around resolving cost-of-living issues.
“President Trump has accepted the results, and I feel the world has an opportunity now to unite around the issue that is affecting us all, and that’s the cost of living,” Burnham told reporters. Burnham added that prices could not be reduced until the US war in Iran “is resolved”.
Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was quoted by Russian state news agency RIA as saying, “Let’s wait for the final results. The Democratic Party leadership’s approach to relations with Russia is sharply negative. There is nothing new about that.”
“Our principled and consistent line regarding Ukraine — as well as our foreign policy in general — is not based on short-term considerations and, naturally, does not depend on the fluctuations of the political barometer in other countries. We will continue our work in accordance with the directives of the President of the Russian Federation,” he said.
Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov, responding to a question from a Russian state TV journalist, said: “President Trump remains in office. We sincerely hope that he will continue his peacemaking efforts. There is already some groundwork in place. Another round of trilateral talks is coming up very soon. These include successful peacemaking and humanitarian initiatives. We hope that all of this will continue. Ultimately, this is an internal American matter.”
Former US president Barack Obama posted on X: “Tonight, the American people sent a clear message — they want a politics that brings people together rather than divides them, and leaders who offer concrete solutions to the challenges they face.”
Tonight, the American people sent a clear message — they want a politics that brings people together rather than divides them, and leaders who offer concrete solutions to the challenges they face. These results were only possible because outstanding candidates stepped forward in every region of the country — including in areas once considered long shots. They came from different backgrounds and represented a range of political perspectives, but were united by shared values, a belief in public service, and a commitment to putting the people of their districts and states first. We also owe a debt of gratitude to the thousands of election officials and volunteers from both parties who helped ensure a smooth election and carried out one of the most essential functions of our democracy. While this administration has another two years in office, our job now is to roll up our sleeves, make changes wherever we have the power to do so, prevent further damage, and lay the groundwork for the future.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) November 4, 2026
The Japanese Chief Cabinet, Minoru Kihara, at a press briefing commented on the outcome, saying, “Regardless of the outcome of this election, the Japan-US alliance is the cornerstone of Japan’s foreign and security policy.”
“As the international situation becomes turbulent and increasingly uncertain, a strong Japan-US alliance is essential for maximising Japan’s national interests and for peace and stability in the international community,” she said.
French Finance Minister Roland Lescure on French TV Channel BFM said: “Either he decides to rise above the fray — acknowledging that changes are necessary, particularly regarding gasoline prices, which directly affect people — and, I might add, he tones down his international involvement; or he does not.”
“Frankly, this is something we will need to keep an eye on in the coming days.”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on X, “Yesterday, the American people voted against policies that only serve to impoverish people. Against hatred. Against sexism. Against climate denial and against the privileges of the elites.”
“It happened in Brazil. It has just happened in the US. And it will happen soon in Spain,” he said.
Ayer, la sociedad estadounidense votó contra las políticas que solo empobrecen. Contra el odio. Contra el machismo. Contra el negacionismo climático y contra los privilegios de las élites. Ocurrió en Brasil. Acaba de ocurrir en EEUU. Y ocurrirá pronto en España. La ola ultra a la que pretenden subirse Feijóo y Abascal ya no crece: se desmorona.
— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) November 4, 2026
Speaking to Reuters, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said the Democrat win was “a powerful political signal about a change of course among American voters.”
“Voices are now emerging in American politics that are closer to us than the president and the administration have stood for, for example on climate and environment, and in foreign policy and development aid policy,” he said.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said to reporters that the results will “introduce a new era in world relations.”
“We have seen that the Democrats have taken control of the Senate and of the House, and the people of America have spoken.”
Greek Government Spokesperson Pavlos Marniakis on local SKAI TV said, “Greek-American relations will remain strong. The United States is our strategic ally, and this will continue for major projects and all major agreements. Nothing will be affected by this outcome. It is obvious that we respect every outcome; the conclusions are clear.”
“Beyond that, what I can tell you is that it appears that on the key committees there will be individuals with whom the Greek government has very good relations, and that is important for the country.”
Co-leader of the German party AfD, Alice Weidel told German online news outlet T-Online: “Trump had promised his voters not to pursue an interventionist foreign policy… This broken promise has now come back to haunt the Republicans.”
Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis said: “I think the outcome was as expected, although of course the Democrats’ victory is huge. Even the Republican stronghold of Texas fell, and in some places Democrats gained positions after decades.”
“In my view, this means that until the end of President Trump’s term, it will be all about impeachment and vetoes, and a certain kind of paralysis. On the other hand, President Trump will almost certainly continue to do exactly as he pleases. Let’s hope he finally returns to his promise to end the war in Ukraine and resolve the conflict in the Strait of Hormuz.”
Elon Musk posted on X: “Guess my election-interfering space lasers didn’t work this time.”
Guess my election-interfering space lasers didn’t work this time
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 4, 2026
Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken posted on X: “Governing in the United States will be almost impossible in the coming years given the level of internal division and polarisation. As a European politician, I will mainly look of course to trade policies, support to Ukraine and NATO.”
‘t Is gebeurd. House en Senate kwijt, Capitol Hill kleurt blauw. Gouverneurschap Ohio kwijt en veel andere cruciale posities. Zelfs Texas gaat deels blauw en krijgt een blauwe gouverneur. Ma donna. Besturen in de States zal de komende jaren quasi onmogelijk worden met zo veel interne verdeeldheid en gepolariseerde machtsbastions. Ik kijk als Europees politicus uiteraard vooral naar het beleid inzake importheffingen, steun aan Oekraïne en NATO 3.0. Voor de koers in het Midden-Oosten is het sowieso afwachten wat de regeringsvorming in Israël zal worden. Sterke en correcte presentatie @FoxNews zowel op TV als online. Good job.
— Theo Francken (@FranckenTheo) November 4, 2026
