- Title: Germany's far-right party AfD welcomes Trump victory
- Date: 9th November 2016
- Summary: DRESDEN, GERMANY (NOVEMBER 9, 2016) (REUTERS) VARIOUS EXTERIOR OF STATE PARLIAMENT OF SAXONY (SOUNDBITE) (German) HEAD OF 'ALTERNATIVE FOR GERMANY' (AFD), FRAUKE PETRY, SAYING: "Happiness dominates after Trump's victory. One doesn't know if he is able to fulfil what he has promised, but that's the same with any election. I think with him there is a chance for a new beginning, which is absolutely essential not only for America." AFD LOGO (SOUNDBITE) (German) HEAD OF 'ALTERNATIVE FOR GERMANY' (AFD), FRAUKE PETRY, SAYING: "America voted for Trump, at the end the American middle-class, a narrow majority of the American people, has voted for this new president while the political establishment in Washington D.C. has voted for Clinton, who represents their own power structures, which is understandable from their point of view, but obviously this is not good for the country. And therefore it is just natural that this movement against the political establishment reverberates also in Europe, also with the AfD in Germany. Yes, we are in favour of a new political start worldwide, because we believe that what Merkel and company have damaged not only here, but also in Europe and in the world, does not help this world. And therefore we are glad about it." AFD LOGO (SOUNDBITE) (German) HEAD OF 'ALTERNATIVE FOR GERMANY' (AFD), FRAUKE PETRY, SAYING: "The AfD has drawn in terrific election results in recent months as a young and fresh party. This is going to be increased in 2017, but we are well advised to stay modest. It's clear that the impact of this signal for Europe hasn't yet unfolded and that we of course expect from Trump that he is going to follow up with actions his promises with regards to American foreign policies - a reconciliation with Putin as well as a readjustment of American-German relations. We are willing to help with this, but he has to come up with a preparatory effort." AFD LOGO PETRY TALKING TO REPORTER
- Embargoed: 24th November 2016 15:19
- Keywords: U.S. election reax AFD Petry Germany
- Location: DRESDEN, GERMANY
- City: DRESDEN, GERMANY
- Country: Germany
- Topics: Government/Politics,Elections/Voting
- Reuters ID: LVA00157Q6R0N
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Leader of Germany's far-right party 'Alternative for Germany' (AfD) Frauke Petry on Wednesday (November 9) welcomed the U.S. election result.
Republican Donald Trump stunned the world by defeating heavily favoured rival Hillary Clinton in Tuesday's presidential election, ending eight years of Democratic control of the White House and sending the United States on a new, uncertain path.
"One doesn't know if he is able to fulfil what he has promised, but that's the same with any election. I think with him there is a chance for a new beginning, which is absolutely essential not only for America," said Petry at the state parliament of Saxony in Dresden.
A wealthy real estate developer and former reality TV host, Trump rode a wave of anger toward Washington insiders to win the White House race against Clinton, the Democratic candidate whose gold-plated establishment resume included stints as a first lady, U.S. senator and secretary of state.
Trailing in public opinion polls for months, Trump pulled off a major surprise and collected enough of the 270 state-by-state electoral votes needed to win, taking battleground states where presidential elections are traditionally decided, U.S. television networks projected.
"[I]t is just natural that this movement against the political establishment reverberates also in Europe, also with the AfD in Germany," said Petry, adding that her party was optimistic that the election result would have an effect on populist parties in Europe like her own.
"We are in favour of a new political start worldwide, because we believe that what Merkel and company have damaged not only here, but also in Europe and in the world, does not help this world. And therefore we are glad about it," she said.
Trump's four-year term begins on Jan. 20 and he will enjoy Republican majorities in both chambers of the U.S. Congress. Television networks projected the party would retain control of the 100-seat Senate and the House of Representatives, where all 435 seats were up for grabs. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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