Joe Biden is set to become the next President of the United States, as multiple US networks declared overnight he passed the electoral college milestone of 270 votes after winning over the key state of Pensylvania.
The president-elect is expected to step up with vice president-elect Kamala Harris for an address at noon (AEDT) today Sunday, having already stated honoured and promised to be a “President for all Americans”.
Supporters of the Democratic candidate started celebrating around the country.
But Donald Trump has far from conceded defeat, persisting on his claims over electoral fraud. His campaign has announced lawsuits contesting results for several states.
Meanwhile, Biden started receiving congratulatory messages from world leaders, including the Australian PM Scott Morrison, who extended his congratulations to Harris, the first woman to be elected vice president in the US.
In his statement, Morrison said he looked forward to “working with President-elect Biden and his Administration to continue to fight the COVID-19 global pandemic and recession, to develop a vaccine, drive a global economic recovery, and develop new technologies to reduce global emissions as we practically confront the challenge of climate change.”
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“On behalf of the Australian Government I also acknowledge and thank President Donald J. Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for their contribution to the Australia-US relationship,” he said, stating he will continue to work closely with the Trump administration during the transition period for the transfer of power until 20 January.
The US election result will undoubtedly impact the international balance of power, with Australia nevertheless maintaining its stance as an important ally.
The Biden’s administration stance on climate change however, with expressed intention to rejoin the Paris agreement, could one of the issues placing pressure on the Morrison government.
But a more stable and consultative approach with US allies towards China’s trade policy, as expected under Biden, will be beneficial to Australia, experts say.
As for Greece, in the words of Michael Dukakis, the 1988 Democratic presidential nominee, Biden’s projected win will be “good news”, a view echoed by political analysts in the country.
In recent months, Mr Biden has spoken out against Turkey’s aggression in the eastern Mediterranean, the future of Cyprus and the conversion of Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia into a mosque.
The United States under the Democratic presidency is said to favour Greece more against Turkish threats, compared to Trump’s arbitrary stance.
While President Trump’s relations with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have blown hot or cold, he has expressed admiration for the Turkish leader and has stopped short of placing sanctions on Turkey.