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8. April 2017, 21:58

Trump wins US presidency

In one of the biggest political upsets in United States history, political outsider Donald Trump has won the presidency, beating Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton by a substantial margin in electoral college votes. The Republican nominee in his acceptance speech called for unity after a brutal election: “I pledge to every citizen of this land that I will be president for all Americans and this is so important to me.” Trump has taken highly controversial stances on international relations including promising to build a wall along the border to Mexico, but struck an apparently conciliatory tone: “We will get along with all other nations willing to get along with us. Nothing we want for our future is beyond our reach. America will no longer settle for anything less than the best.” In the popular vote Trump won 48% against 47% for Clinton, with 5% for independents. His inauguration takes place on January 20th next year.

Republicans retain Congress

The Republican party has also retained control of both houses of Congress, losing only one seat in the Senate, and seven in the House of Representatives to the Democrats.

NATO leader congratulates Trump

In international reaction, NATO general secretary Jens Stoltenberg has congratulated Trump on his victory: “I look forward to working with him. It is important that the trans-Atlantic bond remains strong.” During the campaign Trump cast doubt on US willingness to support its NATO allies.

Russia welcomes Trump victory

Russian president Vladimir Putin has said he hoped to work with Trump to bring Russian-American relations out of their state of crisis.

Mixed reaction from European leaders

The European Commission president Jean Claude Juncker and Council president Donald Tusk have invited Trump to an EU US summit as early as possible. Germany’s chancellor Angela Merkel has called for cooperation with Trump on the basis of democratic values, while deputy chancellor Sigmar Gabriel has said Germany and Europe must change to counter an authoritarian and chauvinist international movement Trump represents. France has said there was great uncertainty about the president elect’s positions on major issues including climate change, the nuclear deal with Iran and the war in Syria.

Populists welcome Trump presidency

Populist and far right political leaders have welcomed the Trump victory, including France’s Marine Le Pen, Hungary’s Viktor Orban and Austria’s Freedom party.

Markets shaken by Trump victory

Stock markets around the world have been volatile at news of Trump’s victory. European exchanges have regained some ground after initial falls. Trump during his campaign for the presidency had expressed hostility to international trade agreements.

The weather

Sunny in the east, cloudier in the west with showers toward evening. Top temperatures zero to 8 degrees.

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