The international press review
On this day, only one subject determines the comments of the newspapers worldwide: the inauguration of the new US President Joe Biden.
The LOS ANGELES TIMES is relieved how this January 20th ended: “Americans can be proud for one day. The ritual of the transfer of power took place, although instead of a crowd of citizens a sea of flags could be seen against the backdrop of the Capitol - in front of the Capitol, which two weeks earlier had been the scene of violent riots. One can only join Biden in his call to America to face these unusual and difficult times. Otherwise the consequences would be too painful to imagine, ”comments the LOS ANGELES TIMES.
The NEUE ZÜRCHER ZEITUNG also looks back at Biden's address: “He put an urgent appeal for unity in the country at the center of his first speech as President, and it seemed both genuine and optimistic. Indeed, with these conciliatory words and this pompously staged celebration of democracy, Washington is sending a powerful signal to the world - for the day two weeks after the shameful images of the same place. But the ashes of the fire that Trump started will glow for a long time. More than half of the Republicans consider the November election to have been rigged and thus question the legitimacy of the new president, ”the NEUE ZÜRCHER ZEITUNG noted.
The Polish newspaper GAZETA WYBORCZA is downright euphoric: “The longed-for moment has finally come! We have another US President who fulfills his office with dignity. Competent, experienced, wise, rational, civilized, determined, honest - and respectful of democracy, science, good morals and the law. Joe Biden is our President too, because the head of state of the United States is in many ways a President of the whole world. The US is still the only military power that could intervene anywhere in the world. Ultimately, nobody has yet been able to compete with the American currency, the financial market, pop culture, science and the technology industry, ”says GAZETA WYBORCZA from Warsaw.
The evaluation of the Dutch newspaper DE VOLKSKRANT is not quite as positive in the sense of the USA. “Biden has sent hopeful signals in terms of foreign policy. From climate policy to the envisaged restoration of multilateral cooperation. Europe is ready, says EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. But four years of Trump have left deep marks in the world. According to a recent poll, Europeans doubt that the Americans will still be leaders of the world in ten years ”, explains DE VOLKSKRANT from Amsterdam.
The Japanese newspaper NIHON KEIZAI SHIMBUN observed: “When Joe Biden started his inaugural speech, the weather suddenly prevailed. Blue sky! But, figuratively, the 78-year-old is now in thick fog. His inaugural address was full of strong messages with which he wants to fight the crises, be it the pandemic, economic development or the division of the country. However, wonderfully beautiful words alone cannot move people's hearts, ”emphasizes NIHON KEIZAI SHIMBUN in Tokyo.
The newspaper LA NACION from Nicaragua praised: “On the very first day in office, Biden issued 17 decrees to reverse some of the particularly destructive measures taken by his predecessor. These include re-joining the Paris Climate Agreement, stopping the exit from the World Health Organization and stopping construction on the wall on the border with Mexico. In addition, a mask requirement will apply in all federal government buildings and a reform of the migration policy will be initiated, ”states LA NACION from Managua.
The Norwegian newspaper AFTENPOSTEN also takes up this aspect. “The issue of immigrants is sending an important humanitarian signal. But there is a risk that the Biden government will take over. The reforms will be difficult to get through Congress, and immigration continues to polarize people. Trump used dubious methods to combat illegal border crossings, putting tens of thousands of migrants at risk. But the measures have also proven to be effective and have resulted in a significant decrease in the numbers, ”said AFTENPOSTEN from Oslo.
The Chilean newspaper LA TERCERA says: “Biden is taking on a truly Herculean task when you consider that the US is in the midst of a deep health and economic crisis and is being shaken by serious racial unrest. In addition, there is the repair of the relations with the traditional allies, who suffered badly under the government of his predecessor ”, one can read in LA TERCERA from Santiago de Chile.
DER STANDARD from Vienna writes: “Morale in the country is at its lowest point, the economy is in descent and the corona pandemic is not nearly over yet. In absolute terms, the United States is the country with the highest number of documented infections and deaths due to a lack of strategies. So a Mission Impossible? In any case, the starting position is bleak. The new US administration has plenty of good intentions. The idealistic Joe Biden appears as a 'healer', and in his inaugural address he also invoked unity and solidarity. It is unlikely that Biden can use gestures of reconciliation to take away the fears that the populist has fueled and served from the die-hard voters of Donald Trump, ”says DER STANDARD.
The French newspaper LE FIGARO asks whether and how the relationship with the allies will change. “Joe Biden is an old school liberal internationalist and a realist who is skeptical of large intervention projects. Despite his moral compass, he is not a missionary of democracy. The new president will have far too much to do domestically. If he re-engages the United States in multilateralism, it will only ever be to defend America first. For Europeans to be able to count on a friend in the Oval Office, they will have to be useful to them. America today expects Europe to help it just as it will help them ”, analyzes LE FIGARO from Paris.
The GUARDIAN from Great Britain sees it this way: “Europe and other allies breathe easy. But America's standing cannot be restored until its home-made crises are over. Joe Biden would do well to address them. In a call for sincerity and decency, he reminded his audience that politics must be 'no raging fire' that destroys everything. This appeal should not only be heard in America, but also on the other side of the Atlantic, ”recommends the GUARDIAN from London.
"Now Joe Biden has to show what he can do," emphasizes the Serbian daily POLITIKA. “On the other hand, the EU will endeavor to increase its own global political significance. Due to the corona pandemic, it was not possible for her to realize larger and more important plans last year. As the most important initiator of innovations, Germany will return to the previous green course with the well-known goal of making Europe climate-neutral by the year 2050 ”, expects POLITIKA from Belgrade.
The conclusion comes from the TAGES-ANZEIGER from Switzerland: “The ghost in the White House is over. Donald Trump has moved out, the majority of Americans are breathing heavily, "so the paper. And further: “Unlike Barack Obama, for example, the 46th President starts with low expectations from the population. He can almost only surpass himself. ”That was the TAGES-ANZEIGER from Zurich, with which this international press review ends.
