German politicians worried about Donald Trump

What do the US midterm elections mean for Europe? And what about Germany? Politicians in Berlin are particularly concerned about a former president.

German politicians are largely relieved about the results of the US midterm elections. But there are concerns, too, in the reaction in Berlin.

The foreign politician from the CDU, Norbert Röttgen, has sharply criticized former US President Donald Trump. “Because election night wasn’t good for Trump and his candidates, it caught fire again,” Röttgen told T Online. “He remains true to his position of only accepting elections that Republicans win. It made the party’s position and poisoned the Republican Party.”

Röttgen also warned of the consequences for Europe: “We have to be prepared for the fact that the debate in the United States will change after the elections,” Röttgen said. “At the moment, the United States gives Ukraine as much support as everyone put the Europeans together. It will not stay that way. We Europeans have to take a greater responsibility ourselves.” Germany is important here.

Green foreign politician Jürgen Tritten also warned of the unpleasant consequences. “Even a majority of Republicans in the House of Representatives must cast a shadow over the current transatlantic honeymoon,” Trittin told t-online.

“The majority in favor of US financial participation in international climate protection based on the polluter pays principle is likely to become more difficult,” Trittin added. This is bad news for the ongoing COP27 global climate conference.

Trittin also sees potential consequences for Ukraine’s policy: “In addition to the ongoing trade disputes between Europe and the United States, Europeans could face additional assistance to Ukraine, since the Republican majority could slow the United States down.”

On the other hand, green politician Anton Hofferter is trying to be an optimist. “For Europe, this is again a sign that the EU must work more closely together, especially on foreign policy issues, in order to become more independent and sovereign,” Hofriter told t-online.

Hofriter, president of the Bundestag’s European Commission, said it remains to be seen what the results mean for the current conflicts. “Not least for Ukraine, it is hoped that a majority of Republicans will also recognize that close cooperation between the United States and the European Union remains essential to both sides in light of the huge international challenges.”

Hofriter was particularly relieved: “It’s a good sign for Europe that, contrary to fears, the extremist candidates are largely unable to assert themselves,” he said. “However, given the balance of power, Biden will find it difficult to develop his political projects.”

Alice Fidel, the faction and leader of the AfD, sees an exciting race for the presidency after the midterm elections. “Whoever the Republican Party nominates for president in two years has a good chance of a change of power,” she told t-online. “It is clear that Biden’s anti-democratic horror, and his denunciation of opposition to the left as a ‘danger to democracy’, did not spread.”