German Chancellor Angela Merkel congratulated the new President of the United States Joe Biden on Wednesday. The head of Merkel’s chancellery also joined the plaudits, praising Biden’s plans to keep the US in the WHO.

German politicians congratulate Biden

German Chancellor Angela Merkel congratulated Joe Biden on Wednesday following his inauguration as 46th President of the United States. “Warmest congratulations on your inauguration, @POTUS Joe Biden and @VP Kamala Harris - a true celebration of American democracy,” Merkel was quoted as saying in a tweet posted by her spokesperson, Steffen Seibert.

Merkel was joined by several German politicians offering their praise to the new president. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said that Biden’s ascent to presidency brought with it “the hope that the international community can work together more closely and better in future to solve the great problems of our time”. Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer (CDU) said she hoped to work towards greater transatlantic security with America.

Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (SPD) and State Premier of Bavaria Markus Söder (CSU) indicated their desire for the two countries to move forward from the Trump era, with Maas bemoaning strained German American relations in recent years. “In the last four years, we have seen what "America first" has meant: no coordination whatsoever, no consultations whatsoever,” Maas told reporters. Söder himself tweeted, "The transatlantic bridge is being rebuilt. We must push aside the rubble caused by Trump."

Head of Merkel’s chancellery praises Biden

The head of the German chancellery, Helge Braun, also celebrated the beginning of Biden’s presidency, in particular praising the new president’s plans to keep the US in the World Health Organisation (WHO). President Biden has already signed a letter repealing America’s withdrawal process from the organisation, which had been instigated by the Trump administration. He also intends to join the WHO’s global alliance to distribute coronavirus vaccines to poorer countries.

Braun, a medical doctor himself, told reporters that “the WHO is an enormously important organisation” and spoke of its importance in responding directly to pandemics. Braun said that Germany had high hopes for the Biden administration and looked forward to working towards tackling climate change, the pandemic and exploring trade opportunities with America.

Chancellor Merkel herself has also said she sees more scope to work with America on international issues. “There is a much broader area of political agreement with Biden,” Merkel said, citing Biden’s new decrees to re-join the WHO and the Paris Climate Accord as evidence for greater political alignment between the two countries. While there is still much work to be done, the German Chancellor admitted there is now a “foundation for common convictions.”