World leaders have paid tributes to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as they were sworn in as the 46th President and Vice President of the United States.
Leaders, citizens and former officials offered their congratulations and expressed hope for a new era in relations between the US and other countries.
Australian opposition leader Anthony Albanese tweeted his congratulations to Mr Biden.
Speaking from parliament, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he looks forward to “strengthening the partnership” between the UK and US.
“I look forward to working with him (Biden), and with his new administration, strengthening the partnership between our countries and working on our shared priorities: from tackling climate change, building back better from the pandemic and strengthening our transatlantic security,” Mr Johnson said.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued his “warmest congratulations” to Mr Biden.
On Twitter, European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen declared that “the United States is back”.
Canadian leader Justin Trudeau mentioned both Mr Biden and Ms Harris in a tweet that hailed the incoming leaders.
In a pre-recorded video address, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier noted the country had “faced tremendous challenges” but ultimately prevailed.
“Today is a good day for democracy. In the United States of America, it has faced tremendous challenges – and endured,” he said. “Despite the attempts to tear at America’s institutional fabric, election workers and governors, the judiciary and Congress, have proven strong.
“I am greatly relieved that, today, Joe Biden is being sworn in as president and will be moving into the White House. I know many people in Germany share this feeling.”
Speaking at a public event, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Mr Biden’s inauguration marked a “victory” over far-right extremism, deeming former president Donald Trump a “bad joke”.
“The (election) victory of Biden represents the victory of democracy over the ultra-right and its three methods, the massive deception, the national division and the abuse, even violent, of democratic institutions,” he said. “Five years ago, we thought Trump was a bad joke, but five years later we realised he jeopardised nothing less than the world’s most powerful democracy.”
Speaking in parliament, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said Italy is “looking forward to the Biden presidency”.
“We have a strong common agenda, ranging from the effective multilateralism that we both want to see ,to climate change, green and digital transition and social inclusion,” he said.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov released a statement saying: “Russia and its president are in favour of preserving this agreement… If our American colleagues will in fact demonstrate a political will to preserve this pact by extending it, this can only be welcomed.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued his congratulations to Mr Biden and Ms Harris.
“President Biden, you and I have had a warm personal friendship going back many decades. I look forward to working with you to further strengthen the US-Israel alliance, to continue expanding peace between Israel and the Arab world, and to confront common challenges, chief among them the threat posed by Iran.”
Pope Francis issued a statement saying he hoped Mr Biden would work to heal the divisions in US society and promote global peace.
“At a time when the grave crises facing our human family call for farsighted and united responses, I pray that your decisions will be guided by a concern for building a society marked by authentic justice and freedom, together with unfailing respect for the rights and dignity of every person, especially the poor, the vulnerable and those who have no voice,” he wrote.
As he was officially sworn in, Mr Biden deemed the inauguration “a day for democracy”.
“This is America’s day. This is democracy’s day. A day of history and hope, of renewal and resolve, through a crucible for the ages, America has been tested anew and America has risen to the challenge,” he told the nation.
“Today, we celebrate the triumph not of a candidate, but of a cause, a cause of democracy. The people, the will of the people, has been heard, and the will of the people has been heeded. We’ve learned again that democracy is precious, democracy is fragile, and at this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed.”
