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World Reaction to Election 2004
International press reports show worldwide interest in the 2004 U.S. presidential election was more intense than ever. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) referred to the 2004 election as "what may be the most important U.S. election in decades... for the entire world, as the winner will play a lead role in shaping international political and economic life." People around the world watched election results come in at all-night parties. According to RFE/RL's sampling of world reaction:
In opinion polls before the 2 November vote in the United States, citizens of countries from Canada to South Korea — with the notable exceptions of Russia and Israel — declared an overwhelming preference for Democratic Senator John Kerry to win the U.S. presidential election of Republican incumbent George W. Bush.
But in the hours after President Bush's victory address, leaders around the world, regardless of their opinion of the outcome, were congratulating the President. The BBC features quotes from foreign leaders on Bush's re-election, many expressing hope for collaboration with the U.S. in the years ahead. French President Jacques Chirac stressed this, saying, "We can only find satisfactory solutions to the numerous challenges with which we are confronted today through a close transatlantic partnership." Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin, a vocal Bush supporter announced, "I can only feel joy that the American people did not allow themselves to be intimidated, and made the most sensible decision."
The reactions of citizens around the world have been more varied than those of their leaders. BBC correspondents in Beijing, Berlin, Paris, Cairo, Baghdad, Islamabad, Moscow, and London describe the moods in those locales following the U.S. election. While the 75% of the German people who preferred Senator Kerry were disappointed with the election results, public opinion elsewhere was generally divided. Often, this had to do with misgivings about how the situation in Iraq would be handled under a new administration. In Cairo, BBC Arabic analyst Magdi Abdelhadi reported that most Egyptians didn't see much difference between Bush and Kerry, and those that favored Kerry often did so because "they hated Mr. Bush's foreign policy so much that they wanted change — any change." Moscow correspondent Sarah Rainsford summed up Russian opinion by remarking that although many people were opposed to the war in Iraq, they quote an old Russian adage: "Now is a very bad time to change horses."
Radio Free Europe is featuring a frequently updated collection of links. Go to the RFE site to find out how the World Reacts to U.S. Opinion or learn more about exploring foreign opinion on the Web on your own.
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