Obama "Not the result I hope, but democracy is a peaceful transfer of power"

Former President Barack Obama and his wife, a Democrat of the United States, congratulated former President Donald Trump, a Republican presidential candidate, on his victory in the presidential election and called for harmony among Americans.

"We want to congratulate former President Trump and Senator Vance on their victory," former President Obama and his wife Michelle said in a statement on the 6th local time.

"Considering the enormous differences between us and the Republican candidates on a number of issues, this is definitely not the outcome we hoped for," the Obamas said. "But living in a democracy means we need to recognize that our perspective does not always win, and we need to be willing to accept a peaceful transition of power."

He also encouraged Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, saying they had a surprising election, "I couldn't be more proud."

The Obamas said the U.S. has experienced the COVID-19 pandemic and soaring prices over the past few years, and many feel they are in place no matter how hard they try, adding, "These conditions have served as headwinds for democratic politicians in office around the world, and last night showed that the U.S. cannot help but be affected."

"The good news is that we can solve these problems," he said. "But we can only solve it if we listen to each other and comply with the core constitutional principles and democratic norms that made this country great."

"In a large and diverse country, we will not always agree on everything, but if we are to progress, we must also give goodwill and grace to people who disagree very much with us," he said. "We have come this far and that is how we will continue to build a fairer, just, equal and free country."