European and British Leaders Expect Renewed Cooperation After Democratic Midterm Sweep

Democratic candidates secured majorities in both the House and the Senate on Tuesday. The results set the stage for a change in congressional power beginning in January. Several foreign leaders who have clashed with President Donald Trump reacted to the outcome on Wednesday.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez posted on X that American voters rejected Trump's agenda. He predicted a similar political shift would occur soon in Spain. "Yesterday, American society voted against policies that only make people poorer," Sánchez wrote. He added that voters rejected hate, sexism, climate denial, and elite privilege. Sánchez has criticized U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran. In March, he accused Washington of playing Russian roulette with millions of lives. His disputes with Trump over NATO defense spending have strained relations between Madrid and Washington.

Christel Schaldemose, Vice President of the European Parliament, called the election outcome a wild result. She said she was cautiously optimistic for Europe. She noted that the change could benefit support for Ukraine, the green transition, and global relations. Schaldemose previously criticized Trump's interest in Greenland in January 2025. She urged Europeans to stand up for themselves on economic, digital, and climate issues.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the results offered an opportunity for world leaders to cooperate. He aimed to ease cost-of-living pressures and resolve the Middle East conflict. "President Trump has accepted the results, and I feel the world has an opportunity now to unite around the issue that is affecting us all," Burnham said. He stated that he could not lower living costs until the conflict in the Middle East was resolved. Trump called his July conversation with Burnham about trade and security very good. However, the two governments have disagreed on Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank. Britain announced in September that it would strengthen sanctions on settlements and stop British companies from helping build them. U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee criticized that move.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf claimed U.S. voters said no to war due to cost-of-living concerns. He warned that if Washington betrays its public will to serve international paymasters, it will learn that Iran's no comes with a nightmare. Americans have faced surging energy prices during the war in Iran. Affordability was a major issue for voters in the midterms.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara took a reserved approach. He told a press conference that the alliance with Washington remains the cornerstone of Japan's foreign and security policy. He said this holds true regardless of the election outcome. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa told reporters the Democratic victory would introduce a new era in world relations. Trump confronted Ramaphosa during a May 2025 White House meeting. Trump played video footage claiming widespread violence against White South African farmers. Ramaphosa disputed the allegations, and fact-checkers found some footage was mischaracterized.

President Trump posted on Truth Social on Tuesday night that Republicans would have won in a landslide if his name was on the ballot. He congratulated the Democrats and expressed willingness to work with the new congressional majorities. He emphasized that he would retain veto power over legislation he opposes. "They'll send over things that are insane, and I'll veto them," Trump told Bret Baier of Fox News. He added that the two parties would eventually need to work together to pass laws.