BERLIN – German Chancellor Angela Merkel had blamed the mob on the US Capitol the day before, although she and other leaders of the United States’ strongest allies in Europe had expressed faith in the strength of American democracy.
“These photos made me angry and sad,” she said. Merkel said and said before an online meeting of the Bavarian partners of the Conservative party, the Christian Social Union, minutes after the US Congress confirmed that Pres. Joseph R. Biden Jr. victory.
“I deeply regret that President Trump has not accepted that he has lost since November, nor has he done so again yesterday,” the chancellor said. “He raised uncertainty about the outcome of the election, and it created an atmosphere that made last night’s events possible.”
Me. Merkel grew up in Communist East Germany and frequently spoke of her admiration for the United States, even though tensions between Berlin and Washington had been in power for more than 15 years. Her comments on Thursday reflect a deep-seated belief in the strength of democracy in the United States held by many people in Europe.
“What happened in Washington DC today is not America,” said President Emmanuel Macron of France. said in a formal speech, taking into account years of historical ties between his country and the United States. “We believe in the strength of our democracies. We believe in the strength of American democracy. ”
Yet images of armed rioters carrying blue pro-Trump flags and storming and vandalizing the halls of Congress have shocked, grieved and angered many in Europe, where an older generation still speaks reverently of the American role in peace. assured after the bloodshed of two World Wars. .
For others, especially younger Europeans, the photos of armed rioters dressed in camouflage or strange superhero outfits reinforced the stereotype of Americans as armed cowboys, with little regard for the rule of law, a view held in the minds of many. the four years of the Trump presidency.
In 2016, Mrs. Merkel marked the election of President Trump by reminding him in a speech that ‘freedom, respect for the law and dignity of people, regardless of their origin, skin color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or political beliefs’ are the principles of a liberal democracy.
On Thursday, she reminded him how a democratic election was supposed to work.
A basic rule of democracy is that there are winners and losers after elections. “Both must play their part with civility and a sense of responsibility so that democracy remains the winner,” said the German chancellor, who in 2009 by Mr. Praying on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives was accompanied to address a joint session of Congress. .
‘It’s tragic that people lost their lives in the events, but to me it’s a sign of hope that Congress continued its work overnight. “Now it is clear that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have been confirmed and that the United States will have a new chapter in two weeks, as it should be,” she said. Merkel said Thursday.
Despite their conflicting personalities and leadership styles, the chancellor has managed to maintain cordial relations with Mr. To maintain Trump. German lawmakers and members of the Chancellor’s cabinet also maintained ties with their Washington counterparts who still valued international cooperation.
In memory of France’s support for the colonists during the American Revolution and the United States’ support for France during two World Wars, Mr. Macron also gave a lot of hope.
France, he said, stands “strong, fervent and determined with the American people and with all the people who want to elect their leaders, determine their own destinies and their own lives through free and democratic elections.”
Even the Prime Minister of Italy, Giuseppe Conte, one of Trump’s closest allies in Europe, expressed faith in the idea that American democracy would triumph over powers that would try to sabotage it. “Violence is incompatible with the exercise of democratic rights and freedoms,” he said. posted on Twitter. “I am confident in the strength and robustness of the institutions in the United States.”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also saw a reason for hope. “Yesterday’s attack on Capitol Hill has only succeeded in reaffirming the principles we share,” he said. posted on Twitter. “Spain will work with the United States for a more just world and the triumph of democracy over extremism.”
Aurelien Breeden reported by Paris, Jason Horowitz of Rome, and Raphael Minder of Madrid.