Our Man in Kiev, Glendal Wright, offers a European perspective on recent events in American politics.
Like many Americans, Europeans went from one extreme feeling to another within just a few days in January. Even in European countries where public protests and demonstrations are a national pastime, the storming of a Parliament building is very rare. Maybe the French know how to do it best, but even for them it has been quite a long time.
Within just a few hours the riot or insurrection witnessed by many Europeans on the US Capitol went from disbelief to shock that such an event could happen in the USA. While many saw it initially as an attack on a public building, it soon became viewed as an assault on democracy which the USA had represented as the most stable and the best example of the peaceful transition of power.
European leaders were quick to react to the January 6 event with a few of these being reflected in the comments below. It is interesting to see how they have viewed this event.
Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, and the longest serving leader among the current European leaders, denounced the mob violence at the Capitol. Her statement was “Unfortunately, President Trump has not accepted his defeat since November, and also did not accept it yesterday. And, of course, this has created an atmosphere, which led to such incidents, violent incidents.” While Merkel condemned the violence, she also indicated that she viewed the banning of Trump on social media as a reaction going too far.
British Home Secretary Priti Patel, a key ally of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, stated on the BBC that Trump’s comments had “directly led” to the storming of the Capitol.
Nicola Sturgeon, the first minister of Scotland, also condemned the riot as “utterly horrifying” and called for “solidarity with those … on the side of democracy and the peaceful and constitutional transfer of power.”
The President of the E.U. Commission, Ursula von der Leyen stated “I believe in the strength of U.S. institutions and democracy. Peaceful transition of power is at the core.”
Even Pope Francis expressed shock by saying “I was astonished because [Americans] are people so disciplined in democracy,” and went on to say “Thank God that this has burst into the open and is clear to see well, because like this you can put it right. Yes, this must be condemned, this movement, no matter who is involved in it.”
French President Emmanuel Macron spoke in English saying “What happened today in Washington, D.C., is not America, definitely.” He went on to say “We believe in the strength of our democracies. We believe in the strength of American democracy.”
What was most surprising too many was that there was more condemnation of the violence and the mob action by Europeans than there was by many in the US Congress who suffered through the event. It was startling that the election divide that brought on the event continued in the Congress after their narrow escape became known.
In the days following January 6, the Europeans were waiting anxiously to see if the peaceful transition of power could be achieved. Many were concerned to see the level of military and police presence in Washington as well as hear the threats to state capitols around the country. But on January 20, Europeans began to breath easier and expressed their hope for an American return to a more normal situation. The European leaders began to express their feelings through the social media.
Ursula von der Leyen tweeted: “The United States is back. And Europe stands ready. To reconnect with an old and trusted partner, to breathe new life into our cherished alliance. I look forward to working together with @JoeBiden.”
The President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, made a statement: “Today is a good day for democracy. In the United States of America, it has faced tremendous challenges – and endured. Despite the attempts to tear at America’s institutional fabric, election workers and governors, the judiciary and Congress, have proven strong. I am greatly relieved that, today, Joe Biden is being sworn in as president and will be moving into the White House. I know many people in Germany share this feeling.”
Pope Francis also messaged Biden: “Under your leadership, may the American people continue to draw strength from the lofty political, ethical and religious values that have inspired the nation since its founding. I likewise ask God, the source of all wisdom and truth, to guide your efforts to foster understanding, reconciliation and peace within the United States and among the nations of the world in order to advance the universal common good.”
During a speech by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez he said: “The (election) victory of Biden represents the victory of democracy over the ultra-right and its three methods, the massive deception, the national division and the abuse, even violent, of democratic institutions… Five years ago, we thought Trump was a bad joke, but five years later we realized he jeopardized nothing less than the world’s most powerful democracy.”
A tweet from French President Macron expressed “Best wishes on this most significant day for the American people! We are together. We will be stronger to face the challenges of our time. Stronger to build our future. Stronger to protect our planet. Welcome back to the Paris Agreement!”
As in the USA, Europeans seem to be walking about more comfortably than before and turning their anxieties back to COVID and attention to implementing Brexit without further disruptions.