Global leaders react to Democratic control of both chambers of Congress
Foreign governments issued mixed responses to the U.S. midterm results, with some welcoming a shift in policy and others warning of continued tension.
By Marco Ortega ·
International governments and media outlets responded to the Democratic victory in the United States midterm elections on Tuesday. The results, which gave the party control of both chambers of Congress, prompted immediate reactions from allies and adversaries alike. Many foreign leaders framed the outcome as a chance to address global economic pressures and conflict.
The election cycle followed a period of heightened geopolitical tension. The United States and Israel resumed military operations against Iran in February of this year. That conflict drove up the price of oil and other goods, making the cost of living a central issue in the campaign. Voters in Michigan elected Abdul El-Sayed to the U.S. Senate, a race that drew significant attention in Israel due to his stance on U.S. support for the Jewish state.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham addressed reporters on Wednesday regarding the results. He stated that the world now has an opportunity to unite around the cost of living. Burnham linked economic pressures to ongoing wars, specifically citing the conflict in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine. He argued that resolving these conflicts is necessary to reduce the burden on ordinary citizens.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez posted on social media that American society voted against policies that impoverish people and deny climate change. In South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa commented while casting a ballot in municipal elections on Wednesday. He described the U.S. result as the start of a new era in world relations and expressed hope for improved bilateral relations.
Russian officials offered a more cautious assessment. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told the RIA-Novosti news service that the activist wing of the Democratic Party holds an extremely negative view of Russia. He indicated that this shift would not cause major changes in Russian foreign policy. State-run media in Russia suggested that the U.S. defeat of the Republicans would lead President Trump to direct his anger toward Europe.
In Germany, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius called the Democratic win a historic victory. He confirmed that Berlin would continue cooperating with Washington and would reach out to both parties. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre told Reuters that the results signal a change of course among American voters. He noted that new voices in American politics are closer to Norway on issues of climate and development aid.
China’s Foreign Ministry stated that the elections are an internal affair for the United States. A spokeswoman added that Beijing is willing to work with Washington to manage differences and expand cooperation. In Japan, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara emphasized that the alliance with the U.S. remains the cornerstone of national security policy, regardless of the election outcome.
In the Middle East, Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf said on social media that Americans voted against war. He warned that if the U.S. government betrays its public will, it will face a nightmare. In Israel, the results landed during a period of political uncertainty following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s loss of his parliamentary majority on October 27. Opposition leaders argued that the U.S. election results make a unity government under Netanyahu less likely.
The next steps in the U.S. political process involve the formal counting of votes in several states. The new congressional majority will begin organizing committee assignments and leadership roles in early 2027. Foreign diplomats have scheduled bilateral meetings with their U.S. counterparts for the coming month to discuss trade and security arrangements.
