EU Council President Charles Michel called the images of the storming of Capitol Hill by pro-Trump protesters “a shock”.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen retweeted US President-elect Joe Biden and said she believed in the strength of US institutions and was looking forward to work with him.
EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell condemned an “assault on US democracy”. “In the eyes of the world, American democracy tonight appears under siege,” Josep Borrell tweeted.
Calling the action an “assault on US democracy, its institutions and the rule of law”, he added: “This is not America. The election results of 3 November must be fully respected.”
He added: ‘’I commend the words of President-elect Joe Biden. The strength of US democracy will prevail over extremist individuals.’’
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Twitter condemned the “disgraceful scenes in U.S. Congress. The United States stands for democracy around the world and it is now vital that there should be a peaceful and orderly transfer of power”.
French President Emmanuel Macron stated: “We will not give in to the violence of a few who want to question democracy.’’ In a video posted on his Twitter account, he added: “What happened today in Washington is not American”.
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas tweeted that “the enemies of democracy will be glad to see these outrageous images,” comparing it to when anti-coronavirus restrictions protesters tried to storm the German parliament building last August. “Inflammatory words turn into violent acts — on the steps of the Reichstag, and now in the #Capitol. The disdain for democratic institutions is devastating.”
Maas added: “Trump and his supporters should at last accept the decision of the American voters and stop trampling on democracy.”