Germany reacts as U.S. elections still too tight to call.

Record ID: 79502

  • Title: Germany reacts as U.S. elections still too tight to call.
  • Date: 9th November 2016
  • Summary: COLOGNE, GERMANY (NOVEMBER 9, 2016) (REUTERS) COLOGNE MAIN STATION MAN SMOKING OUTSIDE STATION (SOUNDBITE) (German) ANDREAS WOLFRAM, PASSER-BY, SAYING: "Until now it was somehow unimaginable that it could be him, at least that's what I thought. But somehow it seems to be so. I am worried. The announcements that he made ahead of the elections are pretty unsettling as regards to the global order." (SOUNDBITE) (German) MARKUS NOEBEL, PASSER-BY, SAYING: "I am not too worried. He managed to polarise the whole election process but now we have to wait and see if he becomes more pragmatic when he takes office. I mean, he won't get far in the long-term with his rhetoric." (SOUNDBITE) (German) UDO CLEVER, PASSER-BY, SAYING: "This is very hard to swallow. The man is unpredictable. I have property in the U.S. and I already got myself a visa so that I am not hit with any surprises as a foreigner! What can I say! This will be the second big defeat for Mrs. Clinton, after she lost to Obama and now again to an unpredictable clown. I just don't understand the Americans. We have many friends over there, some of them Jewish, who are normally on the side of the Democrats. They already said in spring that they wanted radical change and would vote Trump. It seems they did! I just heard in the radio that even Florida, where so many Hispanics live, that even they have voted Trump. My dear Lord! we have interesting times ahead!" MAIN STATION FORECOURT
  • Embargoed: 24th November 2016 06:54
  • Keywords: U.S. election Trump Clinton vote counting Germany
  • Location: BERLIN & COLOGNE, GERMANY
  • City: BERLIN & COLOGNE, GERMANY
  • Country: Germany
  • Topics: Government/Politics,Elections/Voting
  • Reuters ID: LVA00157Q3DC7
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:The U.S. presidential campaign neared its end on Wednesday (November 9) as the tight race went on well into the morning in Europe, causing shock and worry.
    Germans woke up to the surprise news that the 'Blue Wall' in Pennsylvania had fallen after earlier polls favouring Hillary Clinton in various states proved to be false.
    "Until now it was somehow unimaginable that it could be him, at least that's what I thought. But somehow it seems to be so. I am worried," Andreas Wolfram said from Cologne.
    "This is very hard to swallow. The man is unpredictable... My dear Lord! we have interesting times ahead!" Udo Clever added.
    While experts have not ruled out an appeal from the losing party, Republican Donald Trump edged closer to winning the White House with a series of shocking wins in key states such as Florida and Ohio, rattling world markets that had expected Democrat Hillary Clinton to defeat the political outsider in Tuesday's U.S. election.
    "In terms of trade, there will be changes but that is not only up to the inhabitant of the White House but also to Congress. And there is a sour mood in Congress, there is a protectionist mood in Congress, and that is not good for a country that is supposed to uphold the liberal world order. Don't expect too much free trade coming from America. It could be the opposite: Protectionism!" DGAP expert Joseph Braml told Reuters.
    While the U.S. system allows for a sturdy wall of checks and balances security in a crisis remains in the hands of the president, a worrying fact for Braml.
    "Even if we assume a Republican or a so-called Republican in the White House and a Republican controlled House of Representatives and Senate, there is no party rule, so people won't follow him. They can still block him. One senator is enough... who could block the next president. No matter what his party affiliation is. In most issues. The one issue area of concern is security, when there is danger the president is really very mighty and that would be really very worrisome if Trump will be the next president."
    The make-up of Congress is also at stake with Republicans seen as making some gains in their quest to hold onto majority control of both chambers.
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