UK
Gordon Brown, UK prime minister, hailed Barack Obama’s victory as a moment which would ‘live in history as long as history books are written’, saying he looked forward to working ‘extremely closely’ with the new president
US presidential election - Global reactions
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Democrat Barack Obama swept to victory in the US elections after an extraordinary two-year campaign, defeating Republican John McCain to make history as the first black US president. Mr Obama will be sworn in as the 44th president on January 20, 2009.
Global perspective
FT correspondents report on the international reaction to Barack Obama’s victory in the US presidential election. Follow our reports here.
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Europe
France
President Nicolas Sarkozy of France saluted Barack Obama’s ‘brilliant victory’ and celebrated the American people’s choice of ‘change, openness and optimism’
Brussels
European Union policymakers and experts hailed Barack Obama’s victory as a chance for a fresh start at tackling the world’s security and economic challenges, but some warned against raising expectations too high
Germany
There was widespread relief in Berlin at the victory of Barack Obama, the candidate an overwhelming majority of Germans would have picked, had they had a vote
Italy
Italians of all stripes appeared enthralled by the victory of Barack Obama, and highlighted in their reactions his youth and ‘newness’
Russia
Russia’s president Dmitry Medvedev threw down a gauntlet to Barack Obama, declaring that the Kremlin would station missiles in the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad, which borders Poland, in response to US plans for an anti-missile system in Eastern Europe
Middle East
Middle East
The excitement surrounding Barack Obama’s victory has swept across the Middle East – a region where the common perception has been that anybody would be better than George W. Bush
Israel
Israeli leaders were quick to heap praise on America’s next president, in a determined effort to ensure that the historically close ties between the Jewish state and the US will continue to flourish once Barack Obama moves into the White House in January
Africa
Africa
Even in the remotest corners of Africa, pride and expectation were palpable as news of Barack Obama’s victory filtered through
South Africa
Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s former president, hailed Barack Obama’s victory and said he trusted that he would make it the mission of his presidency to combat the ‘scourge of poverty and disease everywhere’
Iran
Iranians have welcomed the victory of Barack Obama expressing hope that he will improve relations between Tehran and Washington
Iraq
While many in the Arab world could barely restrain their glee at Barack Obama’s victory, analysts said some powerful interests in Iraq were feeling less than euphoric
Kenya
Hundreds of jubilant villagers waved twigs and danced from house to house in the tiny village of Kogelo, in Western Kenya on news that Barack Obama’s victory in the US presidential elections
Latin America
Latin America
Andean leaders hailed the election of Barack Obama, expressing hope that the president-elect of the United States would seek closer ties with the region
Venezuela
Venezuela’s President Hugo Chávez, who shot to notoriety in the US in September 2006 when he labeled George W. Bush ‘the devil’ at the UN general assembly, warmly welcomed the election of Barack Obama
Mexico
The latest opinion polls in Mexico had suggested that an Obama victory would be cause for overwhelming jubilation but after his election win the reaction from the neighbouring country was surprisingly muted
Asia
China
Obamania reached China as excitement about the victory of Barack Obama overshadowed lingering doubts in Beijing about the Democratic party’s support for free trade
South Korea
South Korea warned Barack Obama against pushing for renegotiation of the bilateral trade pact awaiting ratification, saying to do so ‘not only goes against international custom but it’s inappropriate’
Japan
Japan greeted the election of Barack Obama with public cheer, but in some corners there were private expressions of concern that a Democratic presidency would be less accommodating towards Japan
Afghanistan
Support for president-elect Barack Obama among the Afghan politicians and senior officials who attended the US embassy’s election party in Kabul was unequivocal
North Korea
North Korea hopes US President-elect Barack Obama will soothe a bitter dispute over Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons’ programme through his willingness to negotiate with America’s enemies, the North Korean embassy in London said
Pakistan
Islamabad welcomed Barack Obama’s victory as it prepared to work with a new US administration which is widely expected to review its ties with Pakistan
India
The prime minister’s ruling party hailed Barack Obama’s ‘youthful energy, exuberant dynamism and a forward looking progressive mindset which is also the spirit animating India’
