Orban, Le Pen, Duterte and Putin send congratulations to Trump

[MikeWB]

BUDAPEST, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban congratulated U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on his election victory on Wednesday, with the words "What a great news. Democracy is still alive" posted on his Facebook page.

Orban said in July that Trump's plans on migration and foreign policy were "vital" for Hungary, whereas those of rival Democrat Hillary Clinton were "deadly".

Orban was then the first European head of state to express a clear preference for either of the two candidates.

Orban has in the past upset fellow members of the European Union over policy, most recently with his tough stance on Europe's migrant crisis, objecting to EU resettlement plans and having a fence built along Hungary's southern border.

"The migration and foreign policy advocated by the Republican candidate, Mr Trump, is good for Europe and vital for Hungary," Orban said in July. (Reporting by Krisztina Than; Editing by Toby Chopra)





Philippines' President Duterte says his country can enhance relations with the US and congratulates Trump, a month after telling Obama to 'go to Hell'
President Rodrigo Duterte hopes to mend relations between two nations
He has previously slammed current administration for being 'unreliable' 
Obama slammed Duterte over nation's violent anti-drugs policy last month
President Duterte responded angrily by telling the president to 'go to Hell'

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has congratulated Donald Trump on his shock election win, saying the reality TV star can help enhance relations with the Asian country.

Duterte, who infamously told President Obama to 'go to Hell' last month, has often expressed his outrage with his administration.

Having repeatedly threatened to end his nation's alliance with Washington, he is said to be 'looking forward to working with the incoming administration'.

President Duterte hailed the success of US democratic system and the American way of life following Trump's victory over Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said in a statement.



PARIS, Nov 9 (Reuters) - France's far-right National Front party leader Marine Le Pen congratulated Donald Trump on Wednesday as he looked set for a shock victory in the U.S. presidential election.

"Congratulations to the new president of the United States Donald Trump and to the free American people!" she said on Twitter.

Opinion polls show Le Pen likely to win the first round of French presidential elections next year, but lose in the second round to whoever should be her opponent.

Her father, party founder Jean-Marie Le Pen who reached the second round of French presidential elections in 2002, added his voice.

"Today the United States, tomorrow France," he tweeted, while National Front deputy leader Florian Philippot followed up with a tweet saying "their world is crumbling. Ours is building."

France's National Front has been building support for its anti-immigration, anti-European Union stance in recent years.

U.S. Republican nominee Trump was on Wednesday edging closer to winning the White House with a series of shock wins in key states such as Florida and Ohio, rattling world markets that had expected Democrat Hillary Clinton to defeat the political outsider. (Reporting by Andrew Callus and Ingrid Melander; Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta)




Vladimir Putin sends congratulatory telegram to new US President Donald Trump
Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in one of the most contentious elections in US history

Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a congratulatory telegram to Donald Trump following his success in the US election.

Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in one of the most contentious elections in US history.

In a telegram to Trump, Putin said the dialogue between Moscow and Washington must serve the interest of both countries.

Putin also said he hopes to work on international issues with the President-elect.

The Kremlin said in a statement: "Putin expressed hope for joint work to restore Russian-American relations from their state of crisis, and also to address pressing international issues and search for effective responses to challenges concerning global security."

President Barack Obama had frosty relationship with Putin, with America furious over Russia's involvement in the Syrian conflict.

[MikeWB]

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