Obama Re-elected European Politicians React
NTDTelevision
2012-11-10
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Europe, a major American ally, has been closely watching the U.S. election. And now, European politicians are reacting to the results.
The U.S. presidential election results have been announced and European Union politicians are weighing in.
Senior members of the European Parliament delegation to the U.S. expect little change in the U.S.-EU bilateral relations.
They speak of the overall popularity of the re-elected president among Europeans.
[Derk Jan Eppink, Member of EP Delegation]:
"I think not much will change with regard to Europe. I have to add, that President Obama never had a huge interest in Europe. He didn't come here very often. He's not very familiar with EU bureucracy in Brussels. But generally, I think, he regards Europe as an ally. Of course, Europeans are very happy with him, also as an idol, as a sort of political rock star."
Barack Obama's experience in dealing with the financial crisis is considered an asset by the European politicians.
[Niki Tzavela, Vice-Chair of EP Delegation]:
"We have a U.S. President who is knowledgeable, who knows, he is experienced, he knows the issue of the European economic crisis. So, point one: we feel more secure. Point two: he has declared during pre-election time that he is going to deal with the European crisis and get it over with, because he considers that the Europeans are taking too long."
However, EU politicians expect that the economic crisis may put a strain on the bilateral cooperation in areas of security and defense.
[Derk Jan Eppink, Member of EP Delegation]:
"I think, what is going to be problematic is the cooperation in the field of defense and security, because both the Americans and the Europeans can already invest less, and their defense industry is getting too expensive. And we are running very expensive welfare states. So on boths sides we are muddling through."
Overall, the reaction to re-election of Barack Obama is less enthusiastic than when he won the first time in 2008.
[Derk Jan Eppink, member of EP delegation to US]:
"Well, I think 4 years ago, everybody was very happy with the election of Mr. Obama, who was a sort of a Messaiah, and a new symbol of renewal. And now he has been re-elected with a very small margin of the popular vote. I think there is less of a myth, and people ask themselves the question: what is going to happen now? What is he going to bring? What is his program? And how is it going to work out? What is he going to do about the national debt, the deficit and all the troubles United States are in?"
While it may be too early for answers, there's no shortage of questions and expectations for President Obama's second term.
NTD, Brussels, Belgium
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The U.S. presidential election results have been announced and European Union politicians are weighing in.
Senior members of the European Parliament delegation to the U.S. expect little change in the U.S.-EU bilateral relations.
They speak of the overall popularity of the re-elected president among Europeans.
[Derk Jan Eppink, Member of EP Delegation]:
"I think not much will change with regard to Europe. I have to add, that President Obama never had a huge interest in Europe. He didn't come here very often. He's not very familiar with EU bureucracy in Brussels. But generally, I think, he regards Europe as an ally. Of course, Europeans are very happy with him, also as an idol, as a sort of political rock star."
Barack Obama's experience in dealing with the financial crisis is considered an asset by the European politicians.
[Niki Tzavela, Vice-Chair of EP Delegation]:
"We have a U.S. President who is knowledgeable, who knows, he is experienced, he knows the issue of the European economic crisis. So, point one: we feel more secure. Point two: he has declared during pre-election time that he is going to deal with the European crisis and get it over with, because he considers that the Europeans are taking too long."
However, EU politicians expect that the economic crisis may put a strain on the bilateral cooperation in areas of security and defense.
[Derk Jan Eppink, Member of EP Delegation]:
"I think, what is going to be problematic is the cooperation in the field of defense and security, because both the Americans and the Europeans can already invest less, and their defense industry is getting too expensive. And we are running very expensive welfare states. So on boths sides we are muddling through."
Overall, the reaction to re-election of Barack Obama is less enthusiastic than when he won the first time in 2008.
[Derk Jan Eppink, member of EP delegation to US]:
"Well, I think 4 years ago, everybody was very happy with the election of Mr. Obama, who was a sort of a Messaiah, and a new symbol of renewal. And now he has been re-elected with a very small margin of the popular vote. I think there is less of a myth, and people ask themselves the question: what is going to happen now? What is he going to bring? What is his program? And how is it going to work out? What is he going to do about the national debt, the deficit and all the troubles United States are in?"
While it may be too early for answers, there's no shortage of questions and expectations for President Obama's second term.
NTD, Brussels, Belgium
For more news and videos visit ☛ http://ntdtv.org
Follow us on Twitter ☛ http://twitter.com/NTDTelevision
Add us on Facebook ☛ http://on.fb.me/s5KV2C
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