Greek government sources on Wednesday reportedly declared that Athens had “prepared” for either possibility in the US elections, in the wake of a stunning upset by Republican Donald Trump over Democrat Hillary Clinton hours earlier.
Greek government sources on Wednesday reportedly declared that Athens had “prepared” for either possibility in the US elections, in the wake of a stunning upset by Republican Donald Trump over Democrat Hillary Clinton hours earlier.
The same unnamed sources also pointed to next week’s visit to Athens by outgoing US President Barack Obama as “hugely significant”, as well as a crucial Dec. 5 Eurogroup meeting.
Nevertheless, the sources cited possible significant changes in the US with the Trump election, primarily on issues dealing with minority rights and the refugee crisis.
Beyond the sphere of neutral statements circulated to the local media by leftist government sources, the Trump victory has apparently dampened hopes that the Obama visit will boost Athens’ long-standing request for immediate debt relief measures by European creditors.
The first, albeit indirect reaction, by the Greek side to the stunning election victory by Donald Trump in the US presidential election was decidedly negative on Wednesday morning, with a MEP elected on leftist SYRIZA ticket referring to a “shock”.
“Trump’s election is a shock; it’s a negative development for stability and democracy around the planet. (French political leader Marine) Le Pen’s message shouts this,” long-time leftist lawmaker Dimitris Papadimoulis Tweeted on Wednesday.
Conversely, the leftist SYRIZA government’s rightist-populist coalition partner, current Defense Minister Panos Kammenos, also took to the US social media platform to Tweet his congratulations to the new American president-elect.
Kammenos, who leads the small Independent Greeks’ (AN.EL) party, also mentioned Trump campaign foreign policy adviser George Papadopoulos in his message.
Meanwhile, sources from Greece's main opposition New Democracy (ND) party emphasized on Wednesday morning that US voters decided “and the result is absolutely respected”.
The ND sources reiterated that Greek-American relations are and remain strong, as well as unaffected by any specific election result.
ND is the center-right political grouping in the country.