As the world watches for the repercussions of the significant defeat suffered by U.S. President Donald Trump in the midterm elections, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said on Wednesday that the Republican Party's defeat showed that American democracy remains alive. However, he warned that this should not distract Europe from protecting its own interests.
Speaking before the French parliament during a question-and-answer session, Barrot said: "We would make a grave mistake if this result leads us, even for a moment, to get distracted from the vital and urgent need — in order to ensure our national independence — to build a stronger, more prosperous, and democratic Europe."
Meanwhile, French Economy Minister Roland Lescure said on Wednesday that Trump still holds sway over foreign policy despite the Republican defeats in the U.S. midterm elections, describing him as unpredictable.
In an interview with French broadcaster BFMTV, Lescure said: "Either he decides to rise above the fray, acknowledging the need for changes, notably regarding gasoline prices that directly affect people, and I would add, lessening his engagement in international affairs, or he does not."
Meanwhile, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez welcomed the results, saying in a post on the platform X that Americans had voted against policies that bring only impoverishment, hatred, and sexism.
Sánchez, who will face voters in his country on November 29, described the American results as further evidence of the crumbling global right-wing populist wave, expressing confidence that a similar outcome would follow in Spain.
"It happened in Brazil. It just happened in the US. And it will soon happen in Spain," he said.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham also commented on the results of the U.S. congressional midterm elections, saying: "The world has an opportunity now to unite around the issue that is affecting us all, and that's the cost of living."
Similarly, EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas commented on the results of the U.S. congressional midterm elections on Wednesday, saying that "US voters have made their choice clear."
She expressed hope that Congress would continue supporting Ukraine and increase pressure on Russia.
Meanwhile, European Parliament Vice President Christel Schaldemose described the election results in a post on X as "wild," explaining: "Not because everything now changes for the better, but because it could benefit support for Ukraine, the green transition, and relations with the rest of the world."
She added that the European Union must continue strengthening its power and self-reliance, which she described as non-negotiable.
