Reaction from around the world to the takeover of the United States Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump:
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“A fundamental rule of democracy is that, after elections, there are winners and losers. Both have to play their role with decency and responsibility if democracy itself is to remain victorious … President Trump has unfortunately not admitted his defeat since November, nor yesterday, and it is clear that this has prepared the atmosphere in which such events, such as events violent, are possible. ”- German Chancellor, Angela Merkel.
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“What is happening is wrong. Democracy – the right of people to exercise a vote, to have their voice heard and then have that decision peacefully sustained – should never be undone by a crowd ”. – Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern.
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“What happened today in Washington, DC, is definitely not America. We believe in the strength of our democracies, we believe in the strength of American democracy. ”- French President Emmanuel Macron.
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“American democracy is obviously limping on both feet … This, unfortunately, is really rock bottom. I say this without a shadow of pride. America no longer traces a course and, therefore, has lost all rights to define it – and even more to impose it on others. ”- Konstantin Kosachev, head of the foreign affairs committee of the Russian parliament.
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“The Capitol riot yesterday was a shameful act and must be vigorously condemned.” – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
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“Distressed to see news about riots and violence in Washington DC. The orderly and peaceful transfer of power must continue. The democratic process cannot be subverted through illegal protests. ”- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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“Shameful scenes in the US Congress. The United States represents democracy around the world and it is now vital that there is a peaceful and orderly transfer of power. ” – British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
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“In a democracy, the losing party must really recognize its electoral defeat, admit it and contribute to a peaceful transfer of power to others.” – Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg.
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“We must call it what it really is: a deliberate attack on democracy by an incumbent president and his supporters, trying to overthrow a free and fair election! The world is watching! ”- Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ireland, Simon Coveney.
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“The scenes we saw are the result of lies and even more lies, of division and contempt for democracy, of hatred and agitation, even at the highest level. This is a historic turning point for the United States and is an attack on liberal democracy as a whole. But I am sure that American democracy is stronger than this hatred ”. – German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
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“Last year, President Trump extended painful economic sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe, citing concerns about the country’s democracy. Yesterday’s events showed that the United States has no moral right to punish another nation on the pretext of defending democracy. Those sanctions must end. ”- President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa.
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“Regarding the conclusion of the interrupted counting of voters’ votes and the confirmation by the United States Congress of the election of the 46th president of the United States, we want to express our thanks for the power of American democratic institutions. This is proof of the stability of American democracy and confirms the principle that a democratic change takes place at the polls, not through aggressive street demonstrations ”. – Krzysztof Szczerski, foreign policy advisor to Polish President Andrzej Duda.
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“This is an internal matter for the United States. At the same time, we draw attention to the fact that the electoral system in the United States is archaic; it does not meet modern democratic standards, creating opportunities for numerous violations, and the American media has become an instrument of political struggle. This was largely the reason for the division in society that is now observed in the United States. ”- Spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Zakharova.
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“The scenes of the United States Capitol show how dangerous the rhetoric of hate is. Disregard for democratic institutions erodes citizens’ rights and can undermine the political order. ”- President of Slovakia, Zuzana Caputova.
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“Shocking scenes in Washington, DC The result of this democratic election must be respected.” – NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg.
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“I warned you: it is bad when (people) walk on the street, it is even worse when they enter the courtyards, it will be unbearable when they come to your apartment. We must not allow this. ”—- President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko.
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“Everyone must be very concerned about the violence that is taking place in Washington DC. We hope that American democracy will be resilient, deeply rooted and overcome this crisis. Democracy presupposes peaceful protest, but violence and death threats – from the left or the right – are ALWAYS wrong. ” – Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa.
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“This is a lesson to be learned: that strong institutions and not strong personalities are the bulwark of a rich democratic culture.” – Former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar, a recent losing presidential candidate.
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“The world considered America to be a successful model of democracy, but we witnessed the chaos, the assault on parliamentarians and the looting. Same as third world countries! ”- Iraqi lawmaker Hakim al-Zamili.
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“Presidents who are not doing very well and are not willing to leave, we know that in Afghanistan.” – former Afghan government adviser Torek Farhadi.