Amid Trump supporters’ siege on the Capitol building — an invasion that halted the Electoral College vote and forced members of Congress to go into lockdown.
World leaders expressed shock at political unrest in the United States (U.S.) Wednesday which saw supporters of President Donald Trump storm the Capitol building in Washington DC.
Nonetheless, many also said they had faith in the resilience
of the nation’s democratic institutions.
European Parliament President David Sassoli spoke of “deeply
concerning scenes from the U.S. Capitol tonight.”
“Democratic votes must be respected,” Sassoli wrote in a
tweet, adding: “We are certain the U.S. will ensure that the rules of democracy
are protected.”
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called the violence in
Washington an assault on American democracy.
“In the eyes of the world, American democracy tonight
appears under siege. This is an unseen assault on U.S. democracy, its
institutions and the rule of law,” he wrote on Twitter.
“This is not America. The election results of Nov. 3 must be
fully respected.”
Calling Wednesday’s scenes in Washington “a shock,” European
Council chief Charles Michel also said that “we trust the U.S. to ensure a
peaceful transfer of power to Joe Biden.”
Canadians are “deeply disturbed and saddened” by the events
in Washington DC, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, calling the storming of
the Capitol an “attack on democracy in the United States.”
“Violence will never succeed in overruling the will of the
people,” Trudeau tweeted on Wednesday evening.
In the U.S., Secretary of State Mike Pompeo condemned the
“unacceptable” storming of the Capitol. “Lawlessness and rioting — here or
around the world — is always unacceptable.”
Former U.S. president George W Bush spoke of watching
“scenes of mayhem” in disbelief and dismay.
“It is a sickening and heartbreaking sight. This is how
election results are disputed in a banana republic – not our democratic
republic.
“I am appalled by the reckless behavior of some political
leaders since the election and by the lack of respect shown today for our
institutions, our traditions, and our law enforcement,” he said in a statement
tweeted by The Bush Center.
Bush’s predecessor Bill Clinton said that the Wednesday’s
assault “was fueled by more than four years of poison politics spreading
deliberate misinformation, sowing distrust in our system, and pitting Americans
against one another.
“The match was lit by Donald Trump and his most ardent enablers,
including many in Congress, to overturn the results of an election he lost.”
Fellow Democratic former president Barack Obama called the
Wednesday violence “incited” by Trump “a moment of great dishonor and shame for
our nation.”
He told Republican leaders they had a choice: “They can
continue down this road and keep stoking the raging fires. Or they can choose
reality and take the first steps toward extinguishing the flames.”
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the scenes
unfolding in Washington were shocking. “The outcome of this democratic election
must be respected,” he wrote on Twitter.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke of “disgraceful
scenes in U.S. Congress.” In a tweet, he pointed out that “the United States
stands for democracy around the world and it is now vital that there should be
a peaceful and orderly transfer of power.”
Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, called the
events “utterly horrifying.”
“The Irish people have a deep connection with the United
States of America, built up over many generations.
“I know that many, like me, will be watching the scenes
unfolding in Washington DC with great concern and dismay,” Irish Prime Minister
Micheal Martin wrote.
Nordic leaders condemned the violent scenes. “Every moment
now brings a new impossible from Washington: there is an incredible nightmare
of democracy going on.
“It is encouraging that there are those who show
responsibility beyond party lines,” Finnish President Sauli Niinisto tweeted.
Norway’s Prime Minister Erna Solberg tweeted: “Unbelievable
scenes from Washington D.C. This is a totally unacceptable attack on
democracy.”
Austria’s federal president, Alexander Van der Bellen, was
one of several European officials to express their concern at the violence.
“It is with deep concern that I watch the populist,
anti-democratic attack on the Capitol in #Washington, the heart of U.S.
democracy,” Van der Bellen tweeted.
In a tweet, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian
wrote: “Violence against American institutions is a serious attack on
democracy. I condemn it. The will and vote of the American people must be respected.”
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said: “I am following
with great concern what is happening in #Washington. Violence is incompatible
with the exercise of political rights and democratic freedoms. I trust in the
solidity and strength of the institutions of the United States. #CapitolHill”
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis tweeted that he was
“extremely troubled by the violence and horrible events taking place in
Washington D.C.” But he also sounded an optimistic note: “American democracy is
resilient, deeply rooted and will overcome this crisis.”
In a Twitter post, Polish President Andrzej Duda meanwhile
said that violent protests are an “internal affair” of the U.S. But he added:
“Poland believes in the strength of the American democracy.”
Australian Foireign Minister Marise Payne was “concerned” by
scenes at the U.S. Congress.
“I condemn any violence to interfere with democratic
processes. This will not impede the transfer of power,
“U.S. institutions are robust & its democratic strength
resides in the full breadth of its people who are no part of this violence,”
she tweeted.
DPA/NAN
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