The historic victory of the Democrats in the midterm elections in the USA had wide repercussions not only in Washington but also in Greece, Israel and Iran.
While the US press wrote that the Democrats inflicted one of the biggest election defeats on the Republicans in the last 50 years, the Israeli press described the results as a "double blow".
The Wall Street Journal described the results as "the beginning of the end" for Trump. The Greek and Israeli press drew attention to the possible effects of the elections on the foreign policy of the USA, especially on its relations with Greece, the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus and Israel. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammed Baqir Qalibaf also commented on the results with the words "The American people said no to war."
HISTORICAL VICTORY FROM THE DEMOCRATS IN THE REPUBLICAN FORTESTS
Democrats achieved significant success in states where they had not won for years. The party won both the Senate and governorship elections in Texas by double-digit margins, marking the first Democratic victory statewide since 1994. Democrats won a Senate seat in South Carolina and won the governorship in Georgia for the first time since 1998. Kansas sent a Democrat to the Senate for the first time since 1932. Democrats, who also made significant gains in the House of Representatives elections, won in a constituency in Kentucky that Trump won by 15 points. Democratic candidates won both Florida districts that were redrawn in favor of Republicans.
TRUMP: IF I WERE ON THE COMPASS, WE WOULD WIN BY A HUGE MARGINAL
Speaking after the election results, Trump acknowledged that the losses suffered by Republicans were greater than he expected. "Frankly, I was a little surprised. I thought they would get better results. There were tremendous recoveries," he said in an interview with Fox News. Trump also admitted that the Iran war affected the election results and drew attention to the impact of high gasoline prices on voters. "People agreed with what I did on Iran, but they probably didn't want to risk the short-term consequences of paying more for gasoline. I understand that, but I don't agree with it," Trump said. Regarding Iran, he said, "we have to do something big."
Trump also tried to shift responsibility after his election defeat. In his statement on his Truth Social account, he argued that the absence of his name on the ballot paper affected the results and said, "My name was not on the ballot paper and if it had been, we would have won a landslide victory!" shared. Stating that Democrats could take steps against his administration by using their majority in Congress, Trump gave the message that he could activate his veto power.
Speaking to CBS News by phone, Trump called himself "Mr. Veto" and said, "Historically, they veto for a few months, then they come back and say, 'We've got to make a deal.'"
DEMOCRATS ARE PREPARING TO INVESTIGATE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION
The Washington Post newspaper wrote that the Democrats' victory in both houses of Congress means increased control over the Trump administration.
According to the news, Democrats have begun preparing to launch investigations into the president and his administration over the next two years.
Robert Garcia, the senior Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, signaled an investigation into the Trump family, immigration practices and the Jeffrey Epstein files. "Hire a lawyer," Garcia said in his statement.
THE IRAN WAR AND THE COST OF LIFE HIT THE REPUBLICANS
According to CNN's analysis based on interviews with Republican officials, Trump's advisers and campaign officials, Republicans prepared for the midterm elections with high hopes, but the economic consequences of the war, errors in candidate preferences and Trump's drift away from voters' priorities turned the party's plans upside down. Trump's decision to attack Iran was one of the most important developments that changed the course of the election campaign. The operation, which started with the aim of overthrowing the Tehran administration in a short time, dragged the USA into a long-term war. The loss of life of American soldiers and the cessation of oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz deepened the global energy crisis. The rise in oil and gasoline prices increased inflation pressure, weakening one of the Republicans' most important election promises.
"THE BEGINNING OF THE END" FOR TRUMP
The Wall Street Journal wrote that the midterm elections were an important turning point for Trump's political future. According to the newspaper, Trump will be able to stay in the White House for two more years, but his political space for action will narrow as Democrats gain the majority in both houses of Congress. The article stated that Trump had lost his political credibility and that right-wingers who were disturbed by his policies towards free market capitalism and liberal democracy were also pleased with the election results.
The newspaper also criticized the Trump administration's foreign policy decisions. It was stated that instead of providing Ukraine with the military support it needed against the war initiated by Russia, Trump tried to direct Kiev to reach an agreement according to Moscow's conditions. It was noted that Trump eased sanctions against Russia as part of his search for peace and called on Europe to continue purchasing natural gas from Russia. In Iran, it was argued that the administration's explanation of the reason for the war under different headings such as regime change, nuclear deterrence and the security of the Strait of Hormuz created inconsistency.
"THE PEOPLE SAID NO TO THE WAR"
Israeli newspaper Times of Israel carried the statements of Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqir Qalibaf in its headline following the midterm elections in the USA.
The newspaper underlined that Qalibaf served as the chief negotiator in the negotiations between Iran and the USA and quoted his statement, "The American people said no to war."
"Whether it's conscience or the cost of living, the American people said no to war, and we support that message," Kalibaf said.
The Iranian official also said, "If the US government betrays the will of the public to serve international bosses and blackmailers, it will learn that our answer comes with a nightmare."
"IT'S NOT JUST TRUMP WHO LOSERS"
Israeli newspaper Maariv described the Democrats' victory as a "double blow" and used the headline "Trump is not the only loser: Election results deeply worry Israel."
According to the newspaper, the election of many candidates to Congress who oppose military aid to Israel, the loss of a long-time supporter of Israel's seat in the Senate, and the election of the first Muslim senator in the United States may herald a new era in Washington-Tel Aviv relations.
Maariv pointed out that candidates from the progressive wing of the Democratic Party who harshly criticize Israel's Gaza policies have gained power in Congress. The newspaper argued that the electoral success of these names strengthened the groups aiming to change Washington's policy towards Tel Aviv. The statement made by Abdul El-Sayed, who is expected to be the first Muslim senator of the USA, towards Israel after his election victory was also highlighted in the news. "Our tax money will not finance genocide or apartheid," El-Sayed said.
GREEK PRESS: ISRAEL POLICY MAY CHANGE
Kathimerini, one of Greece's leading newspapers, discussed the US midterm elections through the evaluations of American experts. The analysis published in the newspaper stated, "The political cost of the first two years of Donald Trump's second administration has once again changed the balance of power in Washington. Both the House of Representatives and the Senate are now under the control of the Democrats."
Elaine Papoulias, Director of Harvard University's Center for European Studies, described the election results as a "volcanic eruption", arguing that Trump's MAGA movement has been completely rejected in the US. Papoulias said the president's political influence is past its peak as Democrats achieve success in states Trump won easily in 2024. Stating that the Democrats' victory could not be prevented despite the high amount of money transferred to the election campaigns by Republicans and big donors such as Elon Musk, Papoulias said, "If I were a Republican, I would very quickly start looking at a future without him. And the Democrats are now gaining the power in Congress to challenge the abuse of presidential power."
Kathimerini also included the evaluations of former US State Department Türkiye and Middle East analyst Alan Makowski. Makowski said that the Democrats' majority in Congress would not completely eliminate Trump's power in foreign policy, but could put limits on the president, especially over the budget. Stating that one of the primary goals of the Democrats will be to end the war in Iran, Makowski stated that there is a strong opinion in the USA that the war is a big mistake.
Makowski said that the new Congress could adopt a more critical attitude in policies towards Israel.
Makowski also said that the election results could be positive for Ukraine. Stating that Democrats strongly support Kiev, Makowski stated that some Republicans who remained in the background due to Trump's attitude may also act together with Democrats in support of Ukraine. However, Makowski cautioned against the idea that the change in Congress would completely transform US foreign policy. Emphasizing that the US president will continue to be the most powerful actor in foreign policy, Makowski said, "The biggest player in American foreign policy is the president and it is very difficult to keep him under control."
