Photo Gallery Germany Reacts to Trump's Election
Few in Germany had placed their bets on a Donald Trump presidency, which made the shock that set in after his victory on Wednesday even greater.
Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel, also the head of the center-left Social Democrats: "Trump is a warning to us as well. He is the harbinger of a new authoritarian and chauvinistic international movement."
Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier of the Social Democrats: "We hope that we are not facing greater instability in international politics. During his campaign, Trump was critical not just of Europe, but also of Germany. I believe we must prepare for American foreign policy becoming less predictable. We must prepare for a situation in which America will be tempted to make decisions on its own more often."
Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen of the center-right Christian Democrats: "It was a deep shock as I saw what direction things were developing." In terms of what the election might mean for Germany, von der Leyen said: "Europe has to prepare for the fact that it must provide for itself," including a larger defense budget. She believes that the US will demand greater German engagement in NATO.
Justice Minister Heiko Maas of the Social Democrats: "The world won't end. It will only get crazier."
Volker Kauder, floor leader for the center-right Christian Democrats in German parliament: "We will have to do our best to work together with Donald Trump as the new US president. ... At the same time, the new US president must also recognize that his country only stands to benefit from good relations with Europe and Germany."
European Parliament President Martin Schulz of Germany's Social Democrats: "I'm not happy about it. But on the other hand, I also believe that the political system in the US is strong enough to be able to deal with a president like Trump."
Cem Özdemir, co-leader of Germany's Green Party: "This is a break with the tradition that the West stands for liberal values."
Manfred Weber, head of the conservative party group in the European Parliament: "We have to be more self-confident and stronger and take on more responsibility," he said. "We don't know what to expect from the US going forward. ... We cannot leave the playing field to radicals the world over."
Left Party head Bernd Riexinger: "He won't be able to offer anything to those people to whom he has promised just about everything. He will follow the path toward an authoritarian society."
Beatrix von Storch, deputy head of the right-wing populist Alternative for Germany Party: "Donald Trump's victory signalizes that the citizens of the Western world want a clear shift in politics. One should view a lot of the things Trump said during his election critically. But actions are often more measured than rhetoric. Even if Trump managed to prevail as an outsider, he will still have to prove that he truly wants a fresh start for the USA, especially when it comes to his promised foreign policy restraint."
Deputy head of the Social Democrats Ralf Stegner: "If the disenfranchised and frustrated go with a billionaire liar and tax-evader, then progressive forces have also failed."
Bavarian governor and conservative leader Horst Seehofer: "For the difficult tasks Donald Trump now faces, I hope for political foresight, the courage to compromise, good fortune and God's blessing."
Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière (CDU): "The USA is an age-old democracy. The results of the US presidential election must be accepted. I congratulate Donald Trump." De Maizière said he is convinced he will be able to work well together with Trump on security issues facing Germany and the US. "Responsbility leads people to become more balanced and measured," he said. "It may be that this election result will remind Germans that mainstream parties are still a positive," he said in response to the question as to whether Trump's election might boost the right-wing populist Alternative for Germany party when Germany has its own national election in 2017.
Björn Höcke, Alternative for Germany's parliamentary leader in the Thuringia state legislature: "By voting for Trump as president, the American people have cast their ballots against the traditional parties and against a media that tells only lies. 'Business as usual' can no longer continue in global and German politics."
Friedrich Merz, head of the Atlantik-Brücke, a Berlin organization that fosters trans-Atlantic relations and a member of the Christian Democrats: "We will have to learn to deal with an America that has become a permanent trouble spot .... More decisions will be taken alone. If Trump can get elected as American president, then Madame Le Pen could also become president of France."
"We're president," Alternative for Germany's Berlin chapter tweeted after the vote.
