Advertisement

France reacts to Trump: Brexit times 10... the world collapses

The Local France
The Local France - [email protected]
France reacts to Trump: Brexit times 10... the world collapses
Photo: AFP

France awoke with shock on Wednesday morning to the news that the US had elected Donald Trump as its 45th president. Here's a selection of the reaction.

Advertisement

For the second time in less than six months France has woken up to shock election result from abroad.

After the vote of the British people to quit the EU in June, it was the election of the populist billionaire property tycoon Donald Trump as president of the United States that stunned France.

The reactions from politicians and political commentators came thick and fast as the French realized this election result had global ramifications, including for France.

France's serving ambassador to the US, Gerard Araud, never one for hiding his opinions, tweeted out the "world is collapsing before our eyes" when it emerged Trump was set for victory.

The 63-year-old said: "After Brexit and this election, everything is now possible. A world is collapsing before our eyes. Dizziness."

The tweet was apparently deleted shortly after, perhaps not surprising given that Araud and his team will have to work with Trump's government.

And he wasn't the only one in France to link Trump's victory to Brexit.

Journalist Anne Sinclair, former wife of disgraced IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn, said Trump's victory was a "nightmare for the world and for Europe".

READ MORE: Americans in France left 'terrified' by Trump victory

She described the result as "Brexit times 10".

Leading the media raction to Trump was left-leaning Liberation newspaper which had this to say.

"Trumpocalypse... Shock. A thunder bolt. And dizziness at the thought that Donald Trump will be unpacking his bags in the White House in scarcely two and a half months.

"The world's leading power is from now on in the hands of the far-right. Fifty percent of Americans voted in all conscience for a racist, lying, sexist, vulgar, hateful candidate." 

The official reaction from the government was more balanced.

“France is an ally of the United States, we are a key partner of the US,” said French foreign minister Jean-Marc Ayrault.

“We need to work together for stability and peace in the world and for a world which tackles the key issues facing it.”

President François Hollande has not yet reacted, but then he did say previously that Trump "made him want to retch."

He is probably feeling a little worse for wear.

Those in the left in France had to digest what the result meant for them. And it wasn’t positive.

“The Left has been warned. If we continue our irresponsible childishness it will be Marine Le Pen,” said Jean-Christophe Cambadélis, the first secretary of France’s Socialist Party.

However there was a different kind of reaction among the party big wigs of the far right National Front, who have taken heart from Trump’s win.

“Congratulations Mr Trump,” said party deputy Florian Philippot. “The people will not be dictated to by an oligarchy, defeated for the second time after Brexit.

“Their world is falling. Ours is being built,” he added.

 

 

 

READ ALSO: French reveal what they really don't get about Americans

 

 

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

See Also