Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez congratulated the Democratic Party today (Wednesday) on its victory in the U.S. midterm elections, in which it won control of the House of Representatives and Senate. In a post on his X account, Sánchez wrote that American society voted “against policies that only impoverish, against hatred.” The socialist prime minister added that “this just happened in the U.S., and soon it will happen in Spain too,” ahead of elections in his country scheduled for November 29.
2+Sánchez’s celebration comes amid his government’s increasingly hostile relationship with Israel. The Spanish leader has spearheaded efforts to impose sanctions and arms restrictions on the Jewish state, repeatedly clashing with Netanyahu’s government. His enthusiastic response to the Democrats’ victory also highlights his longstanding political differences with Trump, one of Israel’s closest international allies.
Russia responded cautiously to the results. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov expressed hope that President Donald Trump “will continue his peace efforts” even after the elections. On the other hand, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said in an interview with the state news agency RIA Novosti that the approach of the activist wing of the Democratic Party toward Russia is “extremely negative.” Ryabkov added that the results would not change Moscow’s foreign policy and its position on Ukraine.
2+Europe welcomed the results. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius called them a “historic victory.” Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre told Reuters the results represent “a powerful political signal for a change in direction among American voters.” European Parliament Vice President Christel Schaldemose added that the results could help support for Ukraine and the transition to green energy. In East Asia, officials were careful to avoid taking a position. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said the elections are “an internal matter of the United States.” Japanese Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara emphasized that the alliance with the U.S. “remains the cornerstone of Japan’s foreign and security policy.”
2+South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said “the American people have spoken.” As we reported at C14, Iran also responded to the results, with Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf claiming that Americans “said no to war.” In Israel, left-wing bloc leaders used the results to attack the prime minister. Democrats chairman Yair Golan claimed the elections demonstrate how “toxic” Netanyahu is among both Democrats and Republicans. Yesh Atid chairman Yair Lapid said the results eliminate any possibility of a unity government led by Netanyahu.