Most people in Portugal and almost all other European countries have been shocked and worried by the election of Donald Trump for a second term as president of the United States.
While European leaders were quick to congratulate Mr Trump on Wednesday morning, most were concerned about future US – EU trade relations, the president-elect’s unpredictable attitude towards global warming, and the war in Ukraine that is threatening to move westward across the continent.
While Trump’s second term in the White House starting January 21, will be welcomed in Moscow, North Korea, and the right-wing government in Hungary, Kamala Harris’s defeat is very disturbing for leaders and citizens in European countries, north to south.
A study by the Intercampus research company in Portugal showed that 70% of
Portuguese citizens would have voted for Kamala Harris According to the survey,
only 28% of respondent said they were convinced that Donald Trump would win.
As for the impact of the election outcome, about 65% believed that the choice would influence the economy and social progress in Portugal, as well as the management of armed conflicts at a time of war in Ukraine and the Middle East.
In Spain, a recent pre-election report by the Franklin Institute of the
University of Alcalá revealed that 75% of Spaniards believed ta Harris
victory would be better for Spain than the return of Trump.
Six out of 10 Spaniards thought that that Harris was more likely to win. Spain’s socialist government openly announced its support for Harris.
A recent poll conducted in Greece showed that 46% of Greek citizens
favoured Kamala Harris compared to 32% for Donald Trump
As for Greek national interests, 30% of Greeks believed that Harris was closer to their priorities — and only 10% believed that Trump would be better for their country.
An opinion poll in Germany showed that two-thirds of Germans preferred Harris to be the next US president, with only 12% wanting a Trump victory.
In France, according to a survey by YouGov, a majority wanted a Harris win, with less than a quarter thinking Trump would be the better on foreign policy.
The most recent YouGov Euro Track study showed that Harris was also the favourite in Britain with 61% of respondents. She was the favourite by far in Finland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark with more than 80% of Danes wanting Harris to win, compared with 16% for Trump.
One of the few European countries with totally opposite views was Hungary. The right-wing Hungarian government turned the election into a domestic political issue. Viktor Orbán was one of the first foreign leaders to back Trump in 2016 and has stuck with him ever since. Polls in Hungary showed that 75% of his voters were behind him on Trump.
The very tight, too-close-to- call battle between Harris and Trump in the months, weeks and days before the presidential election somewhat jeopardised Europe’s trade ties and defence relations - particularly as Trump’ has been so critical of America’s NATO allies, and much less so of President Putin's aggression.
Europe will now be watching closely at the hoo-ha that may follow in the US and abroad.
Written by Len Port.
Edited by catriona Anderson.
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