What Obama’s win means for Europe
Barack Obama seems to have “brought to U.S. politics a European spirit of solidarity and compassion.”
Barack Obama’s victory in the U.S. this week was decisive, but it would have been an absolute rout if Germany could vote, said Andrian Kreye in the Süddeutsche Zeitung (Germany). More than 90 percent of Germans favored his re-election. Judging from TV ratings and Web hits, this country followed the U.S. election “as closely as if it were the first moon landing.” Nobody here would stay up all night to see whether German Chancellor Angela Merkel beats Peer Steinbrück next year, yet we could not go to bed until the Democrat hit the magic mark of 270 Electoral College votes. Why do we love Obama so? He hasn’t been a particular friend to Germany or to Europe, and on our political spectrum “he would occupy the most conservative wing” of a marginalized party, the Free Democrats. Part of the reason is our general love of America, rooted in nostalgia for the 20th-century superpower that defeated the Nazis and the Soviets and gave us jeans and rock ’n’ roll. But more specifically, Obama seems to have “brought to U.S. politics a European spirit of solidarity and compassion.”
Obama’s victory allows Europe “to heave a sigh of relief,” said Daniel Oliveira in Expresso (Portugal). For us, it wasn’t so important that Obama win, but rather that Romney lose. Were a Republican to return to the White House, the world would get another round of “unilateral interventionism, bellicose arrogance, utterly irresponsible foreign policy, and environmental hooliganism.” And a Romney win could have had an immediate negative effect here. European leaders—such as German Chancellor Merkel—who believe that “financial savagery” in the form of austerity is the solution to the economic crisis would have felt bolstered in their mistaken assumptions.
Obama will do more than counter that, said Georgios Malouchos in To Vima (Greece). He will save us all from Germany. The U.S. president alone can “prevent Europe from becoming a German colony” as Berlin shamelessly augments its power by exploiting the debt crisis. German-imposed budget cuts have not only caused suffering in Greece and other countries, but also put them at real risk of domination. “With his hands now free, Obama is probably not going to sit and watch Germany rake them all in.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Dream on, said Martin Ehl in Hospodarske Noviny (Czech Republic). Obama barely noticed Europe in his first term. He has reoriented U.S. foreign policy toward Asia, not only by moving troops there that were once positioned here, but also by refocusing his trade efforts to the East. Mired in our currency crisis and unable to agree on how to run our union, “Europeans don’t really have anything to offer Obama.” That’s why we should all expect him to be “even more skeptical and dismissive” of Europe on his second go-round.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Who actually needs life insurance?
The Explainer If you have kids or are worried about passing on debt, the added security may be worth it
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
Sexual wellness trends to know, from products and therapies to retreats and hotels
The Week Recommends Talking about pleasure and sexual health is becoming less taboo
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Is the AI bubble deflating?
Today's Big Question Growing skepticism and high costs prompt reconsideration
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published
-
Henry Kissinger dies aged 100: a complicated legacy?
Talking Point Top US diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner remembered as both foreign policy genius and war criminal
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Last updated
-
Trump’s rhetoric: a shift to 'straight-up Nazi talk'
Why everyone's talking about Would-be president's sinister language is backed by an incendiary policy agenda, say commentators
By The Week UK Published
-
More covfefe: is the world ready for a second Donald Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question Republican's re-election would be a 'nightmare' scenario for Europe, Ukraine and the West
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published