Monday, December 23

World leaders express shock over the assault on the US Capitol.

AP

Washington Hispanic:

Leaders of The entire world condemned the storming of the US Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump on Wednesday, expressing shock at the chaos unfolding in a country they once relied on for global leadership.

“Shameful Scenes in the United States Congress,” tweeted Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Great Britain, a staunch ally of the United States for generations. “The United States represents democracy throughout the world and it is now vital that there be a peaceful and orderly transfer of power.”

Other European allies were equally dismayed by what they described as a attack on American democracy. Some singled out Trump for harsh criticism.

“Trump and his supporters must finally accept the decision of the American voters and stop trampling on democracy,” wrote the German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas on Twitter. He said that “from inflammatory words come violent acts” and added that “contempt for democratic institutions has disastrous effects.”

The President of the European Parliament, David Sassoli, who directs one of the largest legislatures in the world, also denounced the scenes in the Capitol. The European Union has spent four cantankerous years dealing with the Trump administration, and its top officials have repeatedly said they were hoping for a better relationship under President-elect Joe Biden.

“This is insurrection. Nothing less. In Washington, “Carl Bildt, former Prime Minister of Sweden, tweeted.

Turkey, a NATO ally who has sometimes disagreed with Washington, expressed concern about the scenes of angry Trump supporters who took to the Capitol in an attempt to thwart Biden’s certification as the new president. Chaos forced legislators to be expelled from the building.

A statement from the Turkish Foreign Ministry urged all parties in the United States to use “restraint and common sense.” .

“We believe that the United States will overcome this internal political crisis with maturity,” said the ministry.

The ministry’s statement also urged Turkish citizens in the United States to stay away from crowds and demonstrations.

Trump made a restricted call for peace long after the melee was underway, but did not urge the supporters to disperse.