Donald Trump’s US presidential election victory has prompted consternation among left-wing members of the European Parliament.
Representatives from the bloc’s shrinking Greens group appeared to be particularly perturbed by the events, although others on the Right have hailed the Republican’s win as the potential dawn of a new era.
Writing on social media, co-president of the Greens/EFA group in the EP, Terry Reintke, expressed dismay at Trump securing the position of 47th US President on November 6 — his second term in office.
This is a sad & sobering morning for all progressives and democrats worldwide, including in Europe.
The EU will have to stand on its own two feet and support Ukraine, climate action and fight for democracy.
? Read our press release on the #USElections https://t.co/UiAdNgWO21 pic.twitter.com/77KSXLR4kt
— European Greens (@europeangreens) November 6, 2024
“This is a dark day. For the US, Europe and the world,” she wrote, having previously urged US voters to back Democrat rival Kamala Harris.
“As Europeans we must stand together to defend democracy: Rule of law, fundamental rights, social rights. Women’s rights. Solidarity with Ukraine.”
Erik Marquardt, another Green MEP, suggested that “villainy” had emerged victorious.
“The election of Trump is terrible for so many people in the USA, in Ukraine, in Taiwan and everywhere where people believed that democracy, decency and honesty would ultimately prevail over villainy,” he said.
“Much more was lost with this election than can currently be understood.”
French representative Mary Toussaint also took to social media to voice her concern.
“Tonight, brutality, contempt and chaos prevailed,” she said on November 5, arguing that Europeans now needed to “fight” for “gentleness”.
A Donald Trump victory in the US presidential elections would shift Europe and the entire world away from “cultural Marxism”, European People’s Party MEP @BrankoGrimsX1 tells Brussels Signal. https://t.co/XpQizSLv8I
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) November 5, 2024
While Europe’s Greens reacted with horror, those further to the Right in the EP have largely seen Trump’s victory as evidence that the political and social tide may be turning further in their favour.
Speaking to Brussels Signal on November 6, Alternative for Germany (AfD) MEP Siegbert Droese hailed the Republican’s win as “historic” and claimed it was evidence that politics in his country could soon be altered.
“I sincerely congratulate Donald Trump on this historic result. He represents a brand of politics in the interests of American citizens: zero tolerance for illegal migration, diplomacy instead of warmongering and sound economic stewardship instead of green deal madness!,” he said.
“This was an historic election that signals a sea-change in the policies pursued by the most powerful country in the world. I am now confident that we will experience a political turnaround in Germany and Europe and look forward to the coming four years.”
Such sentiments were echoed by MP and Secretary General of the AfD Saxony-Anhalt Jan Wenzel Schmidt, who linked Trump’s success to other recent right-wing victories seen in Europe.
“Donald Trump’s election victory gives a boost to right-wing Conservative forces throughout Europe,” he said.
“Like the Conservative FPÖ party in Austria, the Republicans were able to prevail against the Liberal ‘woke’ elite. This success was made possible by everyday people who no longer want their lives dictated to them. Now Trump and [Elon] Musk must deliver and support the European Right.”
Huge congratulations to Donald Trump and our Republican friends on the solid electoral win! ?
???? @realDonaldTrump @GOP #Election2024 pic.twitter.com/Halvsw1OWd
— ECR Group (@ecrgroup) November 6, 2024
European Conservative and Reformists Group vice-chair Hermann Tertsch also heralded the victory, describing it as “extremely important”.
“It is one step step, but probably the most important step in the whole recovery of national, Conservative, Conservative national, Conservative forces that defend Western values and that defend the West,” the Spanish MEP told Brussels Signal.
“I hope that in Europe the change will also take place. Now the process is now much more vigorous and we are moving towards new times for the defenders of truth and freedom.
“It is a great day,” he added.
MUST WATCH! ?#Trump2024 pic.twitter.com/4Wkqkg2Vlj
— Dominik Tarczyński MEP (@D_Tarczynski) November 6, 2024
Polish MEP Dominik Tarczyński went viral in his celebration of the win, dressing down US left-wing pundit Cenk Uygur during a live campaign event.
The politician elicited anger from the host of US TV programme The Young Turks when he called for Democrats to work with Trump in a show of unity, with Turkish-American Uygur demanding to know who Tarczyński was and why — as a non-American — he was allowed to attend the event.
“You asked me why I am in the US now. Because I was invited and I came here with my passport,” Tarczyński said, taking aim at the Left’s position on illegal immigration.
“As a European. As a Polish man, I recognise the US as the leader of the free world and I pay my respects to this country.
“And I came here, my friend, because I used to live under Communism! My country was under Communism, and [former US president Ronald] Reagan, with [Pope] John Paul II freed our country, and I will always be grateful to the Republicans of the United States for the freedom of Poland and Europe!”
Europe’s leaders have publicly congratulated US president-elect Donald Trump, despite some of them having previously described him as racist, sexist and neo-Nazi among other slurs. https://t.co/gnsCzmPNfi
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) November 6, 2024
