German reactions to midterms: congratulations and tempered expectations

German politicians have welcomed the Republicans' defeat in the US midterms, but are dampening expectations of a different foreign policy from President Trump. An SPD politician warns of a "

German reactions to midterms Congratulations to the Democrats - and continue with Trump As of: November 4th, 2026 • 7:00 p.m

German politicians have welcomed the Republicans' defeat in the US midterms, but are dampening expectations of a different foreign policy from President Trump. An SPD politician warns of an “angry duck” in the White House.

The outcome of the US midterm elections has also been followed with interest and excitement in federal politics. US President Trump's Republicans are losing the majority in both chambers of Congress - what consequences will this have for the future foreign policy of the US and thus also for German-American relations?

Chancellor Friedrich Merz does not expect the US President to weaken significantly. Donald Trump has already ruled by decree "largely bypassing Congress for the last two years," said Merz. “Why should things change now?” That's why he wasn't "that excited" about the Democrats' victory that morning.

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius expressed himself in a similarly pragmatic and sober manner: The US government will remain the same and Germany will continue to work with it in a spirit of trust. Pistorius continued that he did not know what US President Donald Trump's plans would be for the near future. “But we’ve been dealing with this for years and adapting to it.” The SPD politician congratulated the US Democrats on a “historic victory” in Congress.

“That certainly inspires confidence,” said Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil, referring to the Democrats’ success and congratulating them on their “landslide victory.” For a long time it only went in the direction of right-wing populism. Now the middle class has prevailed in the USA. "Our hand is outstretched." And it will always remain that way, said the SPD politician.

Klingbeil and Pistorius' party colleague, foreign and security politician Siemtje Möller, believes it is possible that Trump will now focus heavily on foreign policy. "It remains to be hoped that it won't be an 'angry duck' so that we also suffer the consequences in Europe," said the vice-chairwoman of the SPD parliamentary group in the ARD morning magazine, alluding to the term "lame duck". In the USA, this is the term used to describe presidents who have lost an election and are therefore weakened for their further term in office.

“Hopefully not an angry duck,” Siemtje Möller, deputy SPD parliamentary group leader, on the effects of the midterms on German foreign policy Morning magazine, Das Erste, November 4th, 2026 • 8:00 a.m. Röttgen does not expect an end to “Trumpism” “In essence, even after the clear victory of the Democrats in the midterms, it remains the same: foreign policy is determined by the president,” emphasized the Federal Government’s Transatlantic Coordinator, Metin Hakverdi (SPD).

The CDU foreign policy expert Norbert Röttgen sees a course correction at least within the realm of possibility, but that is not an end to “Trumpism”. It continues to be “strongly represented” as a mood and attitude and has “deep roots” in US society. It was positive that Trump had recognized his election victory, emphasized the deputy CDU/CSU parliamentary group leader on Deutschlandfunk.

Contrary to some fears, US President Trump has acknowledged the Democrats' midterm victory. more

According to AfD leader Alice Weidel, the clear defeat of Trump's Republicans has to do with his foreign policy and the Iran war. It is not unusual for the presidential party to lose the midterms, she said. "However, the extent of the Republicans' defeat is remarkable and can be explained primarily by the devastating consequences of the Iran War."

Trump promised his voters not to pursue an interventionist foreign policy. “This broken promise has now fallen on the Republicans’ feet.”

The midterm results are clear, as are the reasons: an unpopular president and high prices. more

Left co-leader Schwerdtner justifies the Republicans' defeat by saying that they have no solutions to offer to people's everyday problems. "Instead, Trump wages wars of aggression, tramples on international law, serves the interests of the oligarch class, drives up prices and tries to cover it all up with incitement and a policy of social division," she told Reuters. Apparently people were increasingly no longer falling for this.

Green Party leader Franziska Brantner viewed the election results as a “stop sign against Trump and his billionaires.” “From this you can draw hope for the democratic system in the USA and that it will hopefully get back on its feet,” she said in the rbb.

What is the status of the counting of the election results for the US Senate and the House of Representatives? more