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World leaders react to Democrat wins in US midterms

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President Cyril Ramaphosa said the Democrats' win in the US midterm elections will introduce a new era in world relations. Leaders in Europe, Asia and the Middle East also gave views, and some warned of political gridlock in Washington.

Ramaphosa said the Democrats had taken control of the Senate and the House, and that the people of America had spoken. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Americans voted against policies that impoverish people, and against hatred, sexism and climate denial.

Bernd Lange, head of the European parliament's international trade committee, called the result a crushing blow to US President Donald Trump and his policies. Ines Schwerdtner, joint leader of Germany's Left Party, called it a defeat for the global right. Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer said Americans had said no to war.

Some leaders expected a hard period for the US government. Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis said the rest of Trump's term would be about impeachment, vetoes and paralysis. Belgian defence minister Theo Francken said governing the US would be almost impossible in the coming years.

Alice Weidel, co-leader of Germany's far-right AFD, said Trump had broken a promise to avoid an interventionist foreign policy. French National Rally president Jordan Bardella said US intervention regarding Iran would carry heavy consequences for the US and European economies. One report said the result could affect global trade, security and energy prices.

Key facts

Who
Cyril Ramaphosa (SA President); Pedro Sanchez (Spanish Prime Minister); Jonas Gahr Støre (Norway's Prime Minister); Christel Schaldemose (European parliament vice-president)
What
A compilation of international reactions from politicians and governments to the Democrats' win in the US midterm elections, including comments from SA President Cyril Ramaphosa, who said the results will "introduce a new era in world relations".
When
4 November 2026
Where
United States, Spain, Norway
Status
Reported

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