'Victory for democracy': How the world's newspapers reacted to Joe Biden's inauguration

The world heralded a new era for America on Thursday, with front pages hailing the transition from Donald Trump to Joe Biden as a moment to heal a damaged democracy.

Leaders across the globe also welcomed the arrival of the new US President and the end of the often confrontational presidency of Mr Trump.

Here's a look at how the world reacted to the historic day.

Britain

In the UK, where Boris Johnson described the inauguration of Mr Biden as a "step forward" for America after a "bumpy period" under Mr Trump, the newspapers focused on the new leader's words that it was a time of unity for the US.

"End this uncivil war," The Daily Telegraph declared on its front page.

The Guardian said "democracy has prevailed" - which was the same quote used by the Financial Times.

The Times said it was a "time for unity".

The Mail, meanwhile, celebrated the departure of Mr Trump and the arrival of Mr Biden. "Don's gone...Let's go Joe!"

The Metro used Mr Trump's own slogan for their headline, suggesting the former president had not succeeded in his pledge to "make America great again".

United States

In the United States, the Washington Post carried the "unity" theme on its front page.

The New York Times also carried Mr Biden's quote: "Democracy has prevailed."

The New York Daily News didn't try to disguise its delight in seeing the back of Mr Trump.

"And don't come back," the headline ran, one of the few that focused solely on the outgoing leader.

Rest of Europe

In France, President Emmanuel Macron noted the urgency of addressing the perils the world faces from climate change after Mr Trump withdrew the US from the Paris climate accord, a move Biden was to reverse in the first hours of his presidency.

With Biden, "we will be stronger to face the challenges of our time. Stronger to build our future. Stronger to protect our planet," he wrote on Twitter. "Welcome back to the Paris Agreement!"

Its newspapers splashed Mr Biden on the front pages, with Le Figaro stating his "dream of unity", and La Tribune looking at seven challenges that face Mr Biden, including Covid, the economy, a divided country and China.

Elsewhere in Europe, close US allies finally saw a chance to come in out of the cold after strained security and economic relationships with the Trump administration.

"This new dawn in America is the moment we've been awaiting for so long," said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, hailing Biden's arrival as "resounding proof that, once again after four long years, Europe has a friend in the White House."

European Council President Charles Michel said that trans-Atlantic relations have "greatly suffered in the last four years. In these years, the world has grown more complex, less stable and less predictable."

"We have our differences and they will not magically disappear. America seems to have changed, and how it's perceived in Europe and the rest of the world has also changed," added Michel, whose open criticism of the Trump era contrasted with the silence that mostly reigned in Europe while the Republican leader was in the White House.

In Spain, El Pais declared on its front page that "Democracy has won", while ABC repeated the key theme of his speech: "Biden calls for unity."

El Mundo used one of Mr Biden's quotes as the headline: “We have much to heal”.

In Germany, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier issued a video statement, calling Biden's inauguration a "good day for democracy."

"Despite the attempts to tear at America's institutional fabric, election workers and governors, the judiciary and Congress have proven strong," he said.

The Rheinische Post called the inauguration a "victory for democracy", while Bild, Europe’s biggest selling newspaper, calls it a “Comeback for America” on the front page.

The Suddeutsche Zeitung describes it as a “New era in America”.

Asia

In China, President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to Biden that emphasised China hoped the “two sides can develop a relationship featuring no conflict [and] no confrontation,” according to China Daily, writes Erin Hale.

The People’s Daily, the mouthpiece of China’s Communist Party, hailed the return of “rationality” to the White House and encouraged US policy makers to stop regarding China as “America’s nemesis.”

The more fiery Global Times called for Biden to drop “Trumps’s toxic rhetoric toward China” and expressed concern that “Trump and conservative anti-China forces in the US want the new administration to inherit and continue the tough strategy toward China.”

Another Global Times piece also drew attention to the Trump White House’s close relationship with Taiwan and encouraged the Biden administration to change course after an exceptionally close four years between the US and the island democracy, which China regards as its territory.

The South China Morning Post in Hong Kong was completely neutral in its tone: "World wakes up to new American leader."

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: "My warmest congratulations to @JoeBiden on his assumption of office as President of the United States of America. I look forward to working with him to strengthen India-US strategic partnership."

Other headlines from the country included "America Afresh", "Mr Presidential" and "Welcome Biden".

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, whose country has had a tumultuous relationship with Washington, having been criticized for aiding the Afghan Taliban, said in a tweet he looked forward to building a stronger partnership through trade, economic engagement and countering climate change.

Middle East

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who formed close ties with Trump, noted a "warm personal friendship" with Biden. "I look forward to working with you to further strengthen the U.S.-Israel alliance ... and to confront common challenges, chief among them the threat posed by Iran," Mr Netanyahu said.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who has accused Trump of unfair bias toward Israel with policies like moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, expressed hope for a more even-handed approach from Biden.

He urged "a comprehensive and just peace process that fulfills the aspirations of the Palestinian people for freedom and independence."

Australia

Down Under, the ceremony itself was too late to make it on to the front pages. But they covered the planned event nonetheless, with the Sydney Morning Herald marking the "power shift".

"For the past four years Donald Trump kept America - and the world - in a state of constant anxiety," the Herald reported in an analysis. "In his first speech after being sworn in as President, Biden gave the world permission to exhale. To feel a sense of relief, of calm and of hope. It was a stirring address but one designed to lower the temperature rather than to inflame passions."

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison wished Mr Biden well, describing the relationship between Australia and the United States as "the best of mates" and "best of allies".

"We have been through everything together over a very long time," Mr Morrison said. "And this is a relationship between Australia and the United States that has been stewarded by prime ministers and presidents of all political persuasions for a very long time and to the great benefit and the great success of both countries."