World leaders respond to reported Democratic midterm victory

International leaders responded to reported Democratic victories in the U.S. midterm elections with a mix of welcome, caution and assurances that key relationships with Washington would continue. The reports said Democrats had won control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives, though the material did not include certified results or seat counts. Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Americans had voted against policies he associated with impoverishment, hatred, sexism, climate denial and elite privilege. He also suggested the result reflected a wider political shift, an interpretation of voter intent rather than a confirmed explanation of the outcome. Several European figures saw the result as a possible change in U.S. policy, while stressing that its effects were not certain. Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre described it as a signal of a change in direction among American voters. European Parliament Vice President Christel Schaldemose said the outcome could benefit support for Ukraine, climate measures and relations with other countries, but said the European Union should continue strengthening its own capacity. Other European politicians focused on...