Democrats Seize Control of Congress in Midterm Elections, Prompting Global Reactions

Democrats in the United States have achieved a significant victory in the midterm elections, securing control of both chambers of Congress. This outcome represents a strong rebuke to President Donald Trump and the Republican Party. The results are being closely monitored internationally, as global leaders assess the potential impact of this new political landscape in Washington on US foreign policy, including the conflict with Iran, the Russia-Ukraine war, and trade relations.

President Trump himself acknowledged that the US-Israel war on Iran likely contributed to his party's disappointing performance, suggesting that voters may not have been prepared for the immediate rise in gasoline prices. As the full extent of the Democratic win becomes clearer, here are the initial reactions from world leaders:

Iran

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who also serves as the chief negotiator in talks with the US, stated that voters had rejected war. "Americans said NO TO WAR, and we endorse this message," Ghalibaf posted on X. He added, "If the US govt betrays their public will to serve international paymasters and blackmailers, it will learn our NO comes with a Nightmare." Meanwhile, Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei commented that changes in Washington's political parties would not alter the US's "hostility" towards Tehran. "If there are still those who harbour even the slightest hope that the behaviour of the hegemonic system could change through party or factional shifts, or who believe that making concessions to the US could persuade it to abandon its hostility towards the Iranian people, they are gravely mistaken," Khamenei said in a statement reported by Iranian state media.

Israel

There was no immediate response from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, an ally of Trump, whose coalition had recently lost its parliamentary majority in Israel's own elections. However, opposition figure Yair Golan, whose party is part of a coalition aiming to unseat Netanyahu, remarked that the US vote demonstrated "just how toxic Netanyahu has become" among both Democrats and Republicans in the US. He cautioned that if Netanyahu and his far-right government persist in power, Israel could face "a path toward international sanctions, global isolation, and a confrontation with the United States – our most important friend and ally." Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid, also involved in the anti-Netanyahu coalition, suggested that the US vote effectively eliminated "any possibility of a unity government led by Netanyahu."

European Union

European Parliament Vice President Christel Schaldemose expressed "cautiously optimistic on Europe’s behalf." She elaborated, "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." Schaldemose added on X, "But the EU must continue the course of standing stronger and standing on its own two feet. That’s not up for debate."

United Kingdom

UK Health Minister James Frith emphasized that the UK would maintain stable and strong relations with Washington, despite what he described as an apparent "seismic shift in domestic politics for the Americans." Frith told British media, "The change of emphasis of power in the States is frequent. But the mainstay of the relationship with the UK Government, as its closest ally, is unwavering and unchanging. So I don’t expect it to change the nature of the relationship at all; it remains very strong."

France

French Finance Minister Roland Lescure indicated that France would observe whether Trump, who continues to direct US foreign policy, alters his approach. "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," Lescure stated on French TV. "Frankly, this is something we will need to keep an eye on in the ⁠⁠coming days."

Spain

Spain's left-wing Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez characterized the Democrats' decisive victory as symbolic of the global far-right's "unravelling." He noted, "It happened in Brazil. It just happened in the US. And it will soon happen in Spain," referring to upcoming snap elections he called for November 29. Sanchez asserted that US voters had rejected policies that "only ‌‌impoverish," as well as hate, sexism, climate change denialism, and "the privileges of the elites."

Greece

Greek government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis assured that US-Greek relations would remain unaffected by the election results. "Greek-American relations will remain strong," he told local media. "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."

Russia

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stressed the importance of awaiting final US election results but observed that leaders within the US Democratic Party hold a "sharply negative" stance towards Moscow. Ryabkov was quoted by Russian state media stating that Russia's position on Ukraine and its broader foreign policy "is not based on short-term considerations and, naturally, does not depend on the fluctuations of the political barometer in other countries." He added, "We will continue our work in accordance with the directives of the President of the Russian Federation."

China

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that Beijing would continue its "constructive strategic relationship" with the US, emphasizing that US elections are an "internal affair." Mao told reporters in Beijing, "China is willing to work with the US to safeguard and implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, strengthen communication, properly manage differences and expand cooperation, build a constructive strategic relationship based on respect and equality."

Japan

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara commented that regardless of the US vote's outcome, "the Japan-US alliance is the cornerstone of Japan’s foreign and security policy." He added at a press briefing, "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."

South Africa

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who has previously disagreed with Trump regarding claims of white genocide in South Africa, stated that the election signifies "a new era in world relations." Ramaphosa told reporters, "We have seen that the ⁠⁠Democrats have taken ⁠⁠control of the Senate and of ⁠⁠the House, and ⁠⁠the ⁠⁠people of America have spoken."