The midterm legislative elections represented “a good day for democracy”, welcomed President Joe Biden on Wednesday, whose Democratic camp limited the damage despite predictions that gave the Republicans a large lead in the House of Commons. representatives.
“We had an election yesterday. And it was a good day, I think, for democracy. And I think it was a good day for America,” he told a news conference. . And “while the press and pundits were predicting a giant red wave, it didn’t happen,” he added, alluding to the color of the Republican Party.
“There are still a lot of people who are suffering”
The Conservatives were well placed on Wednesday to narrowly take control of the House after Tuesday’s poll, but their rivals held up better than expected, even maintaining their chances of keeping the Senate. Joe Biden, however, acknowledged that “there are still a lot of people who are suffering”.
“Voters spoke clearly about their concerns, rising prices…and the need to bring inflation down,” he said, also mentioning concerns about “crime and security “, all subjects on which the Republicans have campaigned fiercely.
Thanks to young people
But the Americans have also “sent a clear and unambiguous message that they want to preserve our democracy and protect the right to choose in this country”, he underlined, while the right to abortion, blasted this summer at the federal level by the Supreme Court, was one of the main themes of the campaign.
“I especially want to thank the young people in this country, whom I have been told (…) they still voted at historic rates, just like two years ago,” said the almost octogenarian president. The Democrat also said he was “ready to work” with the Republican opposition and said he was open to all “good ideas”, indicating that the leaders of the other camp would soon be invited to the White House.
“The American people have made it clear, I think, that they expect the Republicans to be willing to work with me as well,” he said.