‘Welcome Back America!': World Leaders Congratulate Biden, Harris on Election Win
The election of Kamala Harris as the first Black woman vice president struck an immediate chord internationally
By John Leicester ••
NBCUniversal Media, LLC
File photo: Joe Blewitt, a cousin of Joe Biden, celebrates in anticipation of the results of the US election as Biden edges closer to victory over Donald Trump, at a mural of Biden in his ancestral home of Ballina, Co. Mayo, Ireland, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020.
Although U.S. President Donald Trump wasn't conceding defeat, world leaders swiftly congratulated Joe Biden for his election victory Saturday and expressed hope that the new White House will prioritize the fight against climate change.
The news elicited cheers in an Italian coffee bar, encouraged protesters outside the house of Israel's prime minister, drew mixed reviews in Iraq and inspired disbelief in Slovenia, the homeland of first lady Melania Trump.
But relief was a common theme expressed in many parts of the world to the news that Trump’s reelection bid failed.
Congratulations poured in for Biden from world capitals, including in nations governed by leaders who got along with Trump, essentially ignoring his claims that the divisive election race wasn't over.
“The Americans have chosen their President. Congratulations @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris! We have a lot to do to overcome today’s challenges. Let’s work together!” tweeted French President Emmanuel Macron.
Watch video of people reacting to news of Joe Biden's projected victory in the 2020 presidential election.
Other leaders who sent congratulations included Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who’d been known for public displays of bonhomie with Trump.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, another Trump ally, hailed Biden's victory and the “historic achievement” of Kamala Harris' election as the first Black woman vice president, Johnson said he looked forward to “working closely together on our shared priorities, from climate change to trade and security.”
Word of the victory in Pennsylvania that pushed Barack Obama’s former vice president past the threshold of 270 Electoral College votes needed to take over the Oval Office cascaded around the globe on social media and live news broadcasts, sparking celebrations in some places and bitter memories elsewhere.
Immediately after the news broke, Iran's information and communications technology minister, Mohammad Javad Azari, tweeted a black-and-white portrait of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, a top Iranian general assassinated in an American drone strike earlier this year. He captioned it #End of Trump.
The Trump administration imposed unprecedented sanctions on Iran after withdrawing from Tehran’s nuclear deal with world powers in 2018, crippling the country’s economy. Tensions between the countries reached a fever pitch with the killing of Soleimani in January.
Hesameddin Ashena, an adviser to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, wrote on Twitter that the “Iranians have stood steadfastly until that coward’s time came to leave.” Biden has suggested he would return to engagement with Iran.
Despite having gotten along well with Trump, India's prime minister posted a photo of himself with Biden and sent congratulations for “your spectacular victory!”
“I look forward to working closely together once again to take India-US relations to greater heights,” Modi said.
He also congratulated Vice President-elect Harris in a separate tweet for her “pathbreaking” success and said her win is a “matter of immense pride” for all Indian-Americans.
Harris’ late mother was from India. Kamala is Sanskrit for “lotus flower,” and Harris gave nods to her Indian heritage throughout the campaign.
Her election struck an immediate chord internationally. It inspired calls in parts of Africa for governments long run by men to think again.
“The time has also come to give our women the chance to occupy such a high office in our country and even the number one position,” tweeted a Nigerian Cabinet minister, Festus Keyamo.
AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin
Angelique McKenna, left, and Vivian Mora, react to a speech by President-elect Joe Biden who defeated President Trump to become the 46th president of the United States, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Washington.
AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin
People react to a victory speech by President-elect Joe Biden, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Washington.
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US President-elect Joe Biden’s supporters gather to celebrate the victory in front of the White House in Washington, United States on November 07, 2020.
AP Photo/Andrew Harnik
Supporters arrive to attend an event with President-elect Joe Biden, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Wilmington, Del.
AP Photo/Andrew Harnik
Children wave American flags before an event with President-elect Joe Biden, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Wilmington, Del.
AP Photo/Paul Sancya
Supporters of President-elect Joe Biden get ready for him to speak in Wilmington, Del., Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020.
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A man dressed as Uncle Sam celebrates while standing on a statue outside City Hall after Joe Biden is declared the President-elect on Nov. 7, 2020 in Philadelphia.
Photo/Jim Gerberich
Pro Biden demonstrators rally around every vote counts in Lancaster, Pa.’s Penn Square after former vice president and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden was announced as the winner over Pres. Donald Trump Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020.
Noah Berger/AP
Meredith Walsh celebrates the victory of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris in Oakland, California, Nov. 7, 2020. Biden defeated President Donald Trump to become the 46th president of the United States on Saturday, positioning himself to lead a nation gripped by the historic pandemic and a confluence of economic and social turmoil.
Rebecca Blackwell/AP
People celebrate Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Philadelphia, after Democrat Joe Biden defeated President Donald Trump to become 46th President of the United States.
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Two women hug as Democratic Party nominee Joe Biden was named the presumptive winner of the 2020 US presidential election during a rally for a fair vote count in the 2020 presidential election in McPherson Square, Washington, D.C.. CNN, NBC and AP projected Biden to win the election as he has surpassed the 270 electoral votes.
Kena Betancur/AFP via Getty Images
View of 7th avenue in New York, as people celebrate after Joe Biden was declared winner of the 2020 presidential election on Nov. 7, 2020.
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A woman waves a Joe Biden flag as people celebrate on Black Lives Matter plaza across from the White House in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 7, 2020, after Joe Biden was declared the winner of the 2020 presidential election.
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President Donald Trump returns to the White House from a round of golf in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 7, 2020, after Joe Biden was declared the winner of the 2020 presidential election.
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People react to the motorcade carrying President Donald Trump back to the White House on Nov. 7, 2020, in Washington, D.C., after Joe Biden was declared the winner of the 2020 presidential election.
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Supporters of President Donald Trump demonstrate in front of the Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix, Arizona, on Nov. 7, 2020. Democrat Joe Biden has won the White House, U.S. media said on November 7, defeating Donald Trump and ending a presidency that convulsed American politics, shocked the world and left the United States more divided than at any time in decades.
Julio Cortez/AP
Supporters of President Donald Trump unfurl a giant American flag outside the Pennsylvania State Capitol, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, after Democrat Joe Biden defeated Trump to become the 46th president of the United States.
Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Trump supporters continue to pray for favorable election results a Stop The Steal rally on the same day Biden was named President-elect, Nov. 7, 2020, at the State Capitol in Phoenix, Arizona.
Alex Brandon/AP
Amanda Madden sprays champagne as people celebrate at Black Lives Matter Plaza after CNN called the race in favor of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden over Pres. Donald Trump to become the 46th president of the United States, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Washington.
Gerald Herbert/AP
People celebrate outside Vaughn’s Lounge in the Bywater section of New Orleans, Nov. 7, 2020, after news outlets called the election in favor of President-elect Joe Biden and his running mate, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.
Paul Beaty/AP
A supporter of President-elect Joe Biden celebrates outside Trump Tower Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Chicago.
Alex Edelman / AFP via Getty Images
People celebrate on Black Lives Matter plaza across from the White House in Washington, DC on Nov 7, 2020, after Joe Biden was declared the winner of the 2020 presidential election.
Kena Betancur / AFP via Getty Images
People celebrate at Times Square after Joe Biden was declared winner of the 2020 presidential election on Nov. 7, 2020, in New York.
Alex Brandon/AP
People gathered in Black Lives Matter Plaza, react to the presidential race being called in Joe Biden’s favor, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Washington. Democrat Joe Biden has defeated President Donald Trump to become the 46th president of the United States.
David Goldman/AP
Trump supporters demonstrating during the election results, at right, pray with a counter protester after the presidential election was called for Joe Biden outside thestate Capitol in Lansing, Michigan, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Yei Boayue, center, celebrate news that Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has presumptively won the election while waiting at the Chase Center where Mr. Biden is expected to make an announcement on November 07, 2020 in Wilmington, Delaware. Votes are still being counted in his race against incumbent U.S. President Donald Trump.
Charles McQuillan/Getty Images
Joe Blewitt, a cousin of Joe Biden’s, sprays a bottle of champagne along with family members underneath a mural of Presidential candidate Joe Biden as locals celebrate in anticipation of Biden being elected as the next US President on Nov. 7, 2020 in Ballina, Ireland. Joe Biden, whose distant relatives hail from the County Mayo town of Ballina, has visited the town twice before as the former Vice President.
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People celebrate on Black Lives Matter plaza in Washington, D.C., Nov. 7, 2020, after Joe Biden was declared the winner of the 2020 presidential election.
Ross D. Franklin/AP
Supporters of President Donald Trump rally outside the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Phoenix. Democrat Joe Biden defeated President Donald Trump to become the 46th president of the United States on Saturday.
There was widespread relief from scientists and environmental campaigners at Biden’s win. The Democratic candidate said during his campaign that he planned to take the United States back into the Paris climate accord that Trump withdrew from.
The Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research said that if Biden and Harris put the United States on course to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to zero by mid-century, it would help avert some of the disastrous consequences of global warming.
“Clearly, the American people see this, and chose unity above conflict and facts above fiction – so the US can really become great again," the institute’s co-director, Johan Rockstrom, said in a statement.
Western allies quickly looked forward to a fresh start with a new administration in Washington.
“We’re looking forward to working with the next U.S. government,” German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas tweeted. “We want to work in our cooperation for a new trans-Atlantic beginning, a New Deal.”
Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa, who was the only world leader who congratulated Trump even before all the votes were counted, continued in his support of the incumbent.
He tweeted, in Slovenian: “Interesting. The complaints were launched in all American states with tight results. The courts didn’t even start deliberating. Still, the leading media (and not some official body) are proclaiming the winner. Congratulations from all sides. That’s what you call the rule of law.”
