‘Democracy has prevailed’: Newspapers react to Joe Biden’s inauguration

Newspapers around the world celebrated the inauguration of the 46th US president

The newly sworn-in president called for Americans to ‘end this uncivil war’ (Getty Images)

Newspapers around the world welcomed the inauguration of Joe Biden as the United States’ 46th president as a moment of “healing” and “unity”, ushering an end to a chaotic and divisive four years under Donald Trump. 

In his 20 minute inaugural address, President Biden called for America to “end this uncivil war”.

"Today we celebrate the triumph not of a candidate but of a cause: the cause of democracy."

Several newspapers focused on the perceived return of democratic values, with The Guardian, The New York Times and The Financial Times all running the headline: “Democracy has prevailed.”

Meanwhile, The Times and The Washington Post emphasized the need to heal divisions, with the headines: “Time for unity” and “Biden: ‘Unity is the path”.

In the UK, the Metro used an image of Mr Biden taking his oath of office alongside words similar to former president Donald Trump’s slogan: “Now make America great again”. The i newspaper meanwhile went with: “Ready, steady Joe!”

Relations between Mr Trump and the EU had been fraught with tension, and so many on the continent breathed a sigh of relief over the prospect of working with a new administration.  In Italy, La Reppublica described the moment as “The liberation of America” while in Spain El Mundo used an image of the president and his wife Jill Biden with the words “Hay mucho que sanar en EEUU", which translates roughly to “We have much to heal in the US".

China, however, is unlikely to see a significant change in its relationship with the US, with Mr Biden likely to take a similarly hardline approach to Beijing.

In Hong Kong, the South China Morning Post published an image of Mr Biden, Ms Harris and their respective spouses, waving from the steps of the White House, writing: “[The] world wakes up to new American leader".