Czech Prime Minister Babiš expects paralysis in Washington, more governments in Europe, Africa and Asia react to the election

By midday on 4 November 2026, more governments have commented on the result of the congressional election. The basis is projections according to which the Democrats win the Senate and the House of Representatives. There is no official final result yet. Several statements come from an overview by the agency Reuters, published at Internazionale (11:30 CET). The readings diverge: some governments expect gridlock in Washington, others a turning point, and still others stress that their relations with the US remain.

Czech Republic: paralysis until the end of the term. According to Reuters, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš called the Democrats' victory expected but big. Until the end of Trump's term, it would be about impeachment, vetoes and a certain paralysis. But Trump would continue to do what he wants. Babiš hopes that Trump returns to his promise to end the war in Ukraine and to resolve the conflict over the Strait of Hormuz.

Belgium: barely governable. According to Reuters, Defence Minister Theo Francken wrote on X: “Governing in the United States will be almost impossible in the coming years”. He cited the deep division as the reason. As a European politician, he is looking above all at trade, aid for Ukraine and NATO.

France: an eye on petrol prices. According to Reuters, Finance Minister Roland Lescure said on the broadcaster BFM TV that Trump could either acknowledge that changes are needed, above all on petrol prices, and scale back his international engagement, or not. That would have to be watched in the coming days.

Spain: the wave is to continue. According to the agency Europa Press at Infobae (10:15 CET), Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said in Madrid ahead of a meeting of Ibero-American foreign ministers: “Estamos ante una victoria de dimensiones históricas” (We are facing a victory of historic dimensions). He said he was convinced that the wave would continue in Spain, where the same is at stake on 29 November. Prime Minister Sánchez had previously made similar remarks.

Poland: a jab at Musk. According to Rzeczpospolita (10:58), Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, after the election, reshared a post on X addressed to Elon Musk from June 2025: “Widzisz, wielki człowieku, polityka jest trudniejsza, niż ci się wydawało” (You see, big man, politics is harder than you thought).

South Africa: a new era. According to Reuters, President Cyril Ramaphosa told reporters that the result ushers in a new era in the world's relations. The American people had spoken.

Taiwan: contacts with both parties. According to the agency dpa at Yahoo (10:18 CET), Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hsiao Kuang-wei said that Taiwan has always maintained its relations with the US across party lines. The ministry continues to monitor the election and wants to deepen cooperation on security, trade and technology.

United Kingdom: the relationship remains. According to the portal Brit Brief (8:47 CET), James Frith, a minister in the health department, said on the broadcaster Times Radio that it looked like a huge night for the Democrats. That changes nothing about the British government's relationship with the US, which remains very strong.

From Chancellor Merz, French President Macron, the EU Commission, NATO, Canada's Prime Minister Carney, Ukrainian President Zelensky and the governments of Israel, Turkey, India and the Gulf states, no statements on the result were found as of about 12:20 CET. Mexico's President Sheinbaum holds her morning press conference at 14:30 CET. These are the views of the respective governments. The first reactions from the morning are under Reports, the state of the count at the Senate and the House of Representatives.