This is a sad and sobering morning for all progressives and democrats worldwide, including in Europe. With autocrats like Putin in Russia and Trump in the US in power, the European Union will have to stand on its own two feet in terms of support for Ukraine, climate action and the fight for democracy. 

The EU, already facing more frequent extreme weather events due to climate change, will have to oppose Trump’s damage to climate policy. Europe must take a leading role in addressing the severe climate crisis. 

The EU has a duty to serve as a beacon of freedom, diversity and democracy on the world stage. It must rapidly ramp up support for Ukraine in its defence against Russian aggression. The European Union must also intensify its diplomatic efforts towards a ceasefire in the Middle East. 

The European Greens will continue to campaign for Europe to show courage in the face of the rising far right and autocrats. 

Thomas Waitz, co-chair of the European Green Party said: “This is a dark day in the US and globally. President-Elect Trump, and his authoritarian policies, represent a real threat to freedom of speech and to democratic institutions. Europe must respond with more democracy and more global solidarity. We will keep resisting the far-right the world over, and continue to build alliances to fight it. In a world of fear, the European Union must become a beacon of hope.”

Mélanie Vogel, co-chair of the European Green Party added: “This election needs to be a wake up call for all democrats and progressives in Europe. We need to live up to the existential need to defend democratic values, to guarantee fundamental rights and to protect the common good. As European Greens we will do everything we can to ensure that the EU moves forward towards more unity, ambition and alliances with other parts of the world.”