One of the advantages of the six-hour time difference between the Netherlands and the US is that just as Americans should probably be heading to bed after a long election night, the Dutch are waking up to the results rolling in.
And, apart from the handful of Trump supporters living in the Netherlands, it looks like quite a few people here are waking up rather happily.
A crushing blow for Republicans
What initially looked like a possible blue wave has turned into something much bigger: a blue tsunami. The Democrats have taken control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, delivering a spectacular electoral defeat to Donald Trump and the Republicans.
And some of the results have been particularly satisfying for Democratic voters. Texas, traditionally a Republican stronghold, has elected Democrat James Talarico to the Senate, defeating Ken Paxton.
Democrat Gina Hinojosa has also defeated Greg Abbott in the gubernatorial race. Meanwhile, in Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed has secured a Senate victory.
In other words, some pretty significant political surprises. And a rather different morning for the Republican Party than the one it was hoping for.
Dutch people are rather happy about it
It is hardly a secret that Trump is not particularly popular in the Netherlands.
In fact, research published by Hart van Nederland ahead of the elections found that 72% of Dutch respondents hoped the Democrats would win control of at least one chamber of Congress. Only 12 per cent preferred the Republicans to retain their majorities.
That gives us a pretty good indication of the general mood here this morning.
And it’s not just traditional media covering the excitement. We also reflected on the Democratic victory on DutchReview’s Instagram, where the responses were overwhelmingly positive:
“The dog days are oveerrrr 🙌🙌🙌”
“One of the rare moments I wish I was back in Texas to feel that joy in person 💙💙💙”
“It’s been such a wild time to be an American, especially one abroad. I have never had so many strangers so comfortable to randomly just sit down next to me once they hear my American accent and want to talk freely about what’s happening where I’m from and how closely they are following it”
“American in the Netherlands here. We won 💙🗳️💙✨”
A Dutch obsession with American politics?
Meanwhile, Dutch television is still busy analysing the results, discussing what they mean for Trump, the Republican Party and the future of American democracy.
Perhaps we have developed a slightly unhealthy fascination with American politics. Maybe it is because our own political landscape, with its seemingly endless collection of political parties and complicated coalition negotiations, feels a little too cosy or confusing by comparison.
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Or perhaps it is simply because what happens in Washington has such a direct impact on the rest of the world, including the Netherlands.
Either way, it is quite something to see Dutch television dedicating so much airtime to an election taking place thousands of kilometres away.
So, well done, America. Now let’s see what happens over the next two years. And perhaps, just perhaps, we might eventually get to see a decent, thoughtful president in the White House again.
How do you feel about the blue tsunami sweeping through America? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
