World leaders react to projected Democratic wins in US midterms

Centre · 2Leaders around the world reacted on 3–4 November 2026 to the US midterm elections, in which Democrats were projected to win control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, a setback for President Donald Trump. 1 2 Centre · 1Anadolu Agency reported that Democrats were projected to hold 53 Senate seats against 42 for Republicans as counting continued, and at least 218 of the 435 House seats; the new majorities are due to take office in January 2027. 1 Centre · 1Hindustan Times said the result reflected voter dissatisfaction with Trump's policies, particularly his handling of the conflict involving Iran and rising fuel prices, and could complicate his legislative agenda. 2

Centre · 1Several European leaders welcomed the outcome. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot called it "very good news for American democracy", Norway's foreign minister Espen Barth Eide called it a "victory for democracy", and Italy's Antonio Tajani said "We always respect the will of the American people." 1 Centre · 2Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said voters had rejected hatred, machismo or sexism, climate denial and elite privileges, and added that the far-right wave Spain's opposition leaders Feijóo and Abascal are trying to ride was "crumbling". 2 1 Centre · 1Several European officials paired their welcome with calls for greater European self-reliance: Austria's Beate Meinl-Reisinger said European security and prosperity must not depend on how people in Kansas or Iowa vote, and German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said NATO must become more European to remain transatlantic. 1

Centre · 1Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, speaking to Reuters, called the result a "powerful political signal about a change of course among American voters", and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said it would "introduce a new era in world relations". 2 Centre · 2In the UK, Anadolu quoted Prime Minister Andy Burnham saying the world had an opportunity to unite around the cost of living, and pledging to work for Middle East de-escalation and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz; Hindustan Times quoted Health Minister James Frith calling it "an enormous night for American democracy, and for the Democrats" and saying the UK would keep its close US relationship. 1 2 Centre · 1Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, cited from Echo24, predicted legislative paralysis with repeated impeachment efforts and vetoes, while hoping Trump would deliver on ending the war in Ukraine and the conflict in the Strait of Hormuz. 1

Centre · 1Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, quoted by IRNA, said anyone hoping for a change in US behaviour after the elections was "deeply mistaken", while Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf wrote on X that Americans had voted "NO TO WAR". 2 Centre · 1Russia's Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Trump "continues to hold office" and Moscow hoped he would continue his peace-making efforts, while lawmaker Leonid Slutsky told CNN Trump was now in a "negative situation". 2 Centre · 1China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning called the elections an internal US matter and said Beijing was willing to work with Washington toward a constructive strategic relationship, while Taiwan's foreign ministry said its US policy remained non-partisan and it would keep expanding cooperation. 2

Centre · 2European Parliament Vice-President Christel Schaldemose said the result could benefit support for Ukraine, the green transition and relations with the rest of the world, but that the EU must keep standing on its own two feet. 2 1 Right · 1Fox News reported that the reactions came mainly from foreign leaders who have clashed with Trump, noting Sánchez's opposition to US and Israeli military operations against Iran and to Trump on NATO spending, and Ramaphosa's 2025 White House confrontation with Trump over claims about violence against white South African farmers. 3 Right · 1Fox News also quoted Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara saying the Japan-U.S. alliance "remains the cornerstone of Japan's foreign and security policy regardless of the outcome of the elections". 3

Right · 1Fox News reported that Trump claimed on Truth Social that the GOP would have "won IN A LANDSLIDE!" had his name been on the ballot, congratulated Democrats and said he was willing to work with them, while promising to veto legislation he called "insane". 3