Throughout the world, in living rooms, plazas, beaches and streets crowded, Barack Obama's victory was hailed by people from various countries such as a shift towards racial equality, in the hope that his presidency augure an America more balanced and less controversial.
People gathered in front of televisions or radios estruendosos heard in the continuous flow of information about the elections on Tuesday in the United States. In Sydney, the Australians filled a room at a holiday hotel. In Rio de Janeiro, Brazilians did feast on the beach. In the Japanese city of Obama, people began to dance when he was announced the victory of their candidate's namesake town.
The observers, many of them in countries where the idea that a member of a minority elected president is unthinkable, there were expressions of surprise and satisfaction that the United States could overcome centuries of racial conflict and elect an African-American as president.
"This shows that the U.S. is truly a diverse and multicultural society where skin color does not really matter," said Jason Ge, a student of international relations at Peking University in China.
"I really believe this is going to change the world," said Akihiko Mukohama, 34, singer of a band that traveled to the Japanese city of Obama to act on an act in favor of the now president-elect. Mukohama was carrying a T-shirt bearing the words "I love Obama."
Many people felt that _para better or mal_ economic power, military and cultural life of the United States gave a global significance to the elections.
"The eyes of the world are on this," said Australian Phil Keeling, who wore clothing head to toe in the colors red, white and blue and images of Obama and Republican presidential candidate John McCain to attend a festival hall in downtown Sydney to see the development of the U.S. elections on giant television screens.
Among many critics of the policies of outgoing President George W. Bush had high hopes that an Obama victory would bring about a more inclusive approach to U.S. and internationally cooperative. Many felt that the war in Iraq is a mistake that Obama is not repeated.
In Germany, where more than 200,000 people attended this summer to see Obama during his tour of Europe and the Middle East, elections dominated the headlines of newspapers, television news and pages on the internet. Among the more irreverent celebration was a feast called "Goodbye, George" to celebrate the departure of Bush.
The Obamanía was evident not only in Europe but also in the Muslim world, where many expressed hope that the Democrats seek more negotiations over confrontation.
The Bush displeased to Muslims to mistreat prisoners in Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo, human rights violations that were condemned worldwide.
Article Source: Asociated Press (AP)