Yesterday saw Brussels and the world holding its breath for the outcome of the United States Presidential elections. Today, we know the result.
While many expected the vote to be quite close and it to take a while before one of the candidates would emerge as the clear winner, the outcome was known (much) sooner than anticipated. Those who did not stay up all night to watch the race unfold in real-time woke up to a clear-cut outcome: Trump was on the verge of winning the Presidential race.
Before noon, around 11:30 Belgian time, it was official: Trump crossed the threshold of 270 electoral college votes and thereby became the winner. He will serve as the 47th President of the United States – his second term after also leading the country from 2017 to 2021.
At a Democrats Abroad post-election event in Brussels on Wednesday morning, The Brussels Times' Lauren Walker saw many disappointed faces. "It's going to be a rough day," the group's spokesperson Robin de Wouters told her.
For him, this election was about democracy, "as Trump stands for many anti-democratic values. And that's going to be a hard pill to swallow. Republicans being in control of the White House, the House, Senate and Supreme Court is a potential danger to American democracy."
What this will mean for the United States and the rest of the world remains to be seen, but many European and world leaders were quick to take to social media to offer Trump their congratulations and affirm their desire to continue their partnership.
What do you think will happen next? Let @Maajtee know.
Belgium in Brief
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1. Donald Trump elected 47th President of the United States
Trump, who was president from 2017 to 2021, will start his second term as President of the United States in January 2025. Read more.
2. Day 150 with no Belgian Government: What’s the latest?
"The frustrating thing about Rousseau's rejection is that there is no alternative to Arizona." Read more.
3. ‘True partnership’ and ‘historic bond’: World leaders congratulate Trump on US election victory
"Millions of jobs and billions in trade and investment on each side of the Atlantic depend on the dynamism and stability of our economic relationship." Read more.
4. Belgium’s best restaurants of the year unveiled in Gault&Millau’s guide
In terms of both chefs and restaurants, there were a number of changes on the leaderboard this year. Read more.
5. Almost no Brussels tenants make use of right to buy when property goes on sale
On 1 January, Brussels made it easier to access to the property market. 11 months later and barely any tenants have made use of the scheme. Read more.
6. Thousands expected at Brussels demonstration for more public sector investment
"We do not protest for the sake of protesting, but the leaked notes and the announced budget cuts show an alarming lack of attention to public sector staff." Read more.
7. Audi Brussels factory at standstill due to subcontractor strike
The halt in production is due to an ongoing strike at Imperial Logistics, which is currently not delivering parts to Audi Brussels. Read more.
