Gavin Mortimer Gavin Mortimer

Donald Trump is Ursula von der Leyen’s worst nightmare

Donald Trump (Credit: Getty images)

The first European leader to tweet their response to Donald Trump’s victory was Emmanuel Macron of France, pipping Giorgia Meloni to the prize by a matter of minutes. ‘Congratulations,’ declared the President of France. ‘Ready to work together as we did for four years. With your convictions and mine. With respect and ambition. For more peace and prosperity.’

Macron tweeted his congratulations in French and English, whereas Meloni stuck to her mother tongue. ‘Good work Mr. President,’ said the Italian Prime Minister. ‘Italy and the United States are “sister” nations, linked by an unshakable alliance, common values, and a historic friendship. It is a strategic bond, which I am sure we will now strengthen even further.’

In those days, no one in Washington said nasty things about Germany’s refusal to pull its weight in Nato

Keir Starmer was also quick to tip his hat to Trump, but it took German Chancellor Olaf Scholz a good hour before he jumped on the jubilatory bandwagon.

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