A sweeping Democratic win in the US midterms has significantly reined in the decision-making power of Republican President Donald Trump. Democratic control of both the House and the Senate will make it harder for the executive branch to pass laws, though Trump maintains the power to veto laws the Democrats attempt to pass.

As Democratic control of both chambers of Congress became clear, people in Europe are questioning what the result may mean for them.

A weakened global far right

Trump and his circle have often supported far-right parties in Europe. As a result, mainstream and left-wing leaders in Europe have presented the midterm results not just as a loss for Republicans in America, but also a loss for an international network of right-wing populist allies.

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sachez was jubilant, saying the result was the "crumbling of a far-right wave".

Sanchez has been Trump's most vocal critic among European leaders.

In a social media post, he said the American people had voted "against policies that only serve to impoverish people. Against hatred. Against sexism. Against climate denial and against the privileges of the elites"

As Spain nears its own elections this month, Sanchez framed the US results as a positive sign for his campaign, despite the center-right People's Party and far-right Vox party seemingly set to win a majority in the Spanish parliament.

Referencing another recent far-right election loss, he said: "It happened in Brazil. It has just happened in the US. And it will happen soon in Spain."

Joint Leader of Germany's Left Party, Ines Schwerdtner, expressed similar sentiment, saying the midterm results were "a crashing defeat for the global right."

A 'lame duck' becomes an 'angry duck'

However, others in Europe have been less celebratory. French Finance Minister Roland Lescure was quick to remind people that, despite the loss, "on an international level [Trump] remains in charge." The US presidency faces relatively few congressional checks on trade and foreign issues compared to domestic policies.

The midterm results will greatly diminish Trump's decision-making power at home, but this may mean he turns his focus even more to the international stage.

"A lame duck could quickly turn into an angry duck," says Bernd Lange, head of the European Parliament's International Trade Committee, and a "weakened Trump could become more aggressive and unpredictable."

"Either he decides to rise above the fray — acknowledging that changes are necessary, particularly regarding gasoline prices, which directly affect people — and, I might add, he tones down his international involvement; or he does not," Lescure told French TV. "Frankly, this is something we will need to keep an eye on in the coming days," he added.

Hope for Ukraine

In recent months, Trump has largely halted direct US financial and military support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. His decision to lift sanctions on Russian diesel angered many on both sides of the Democrat-Republican divide, and in Europe.

European leaders, such as European Parliament VP Christel Schaldemose, have expressed hope that the midterm results "could benefit the support for Ukraine."

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis said he hopes Trump "finally returns to his promise to end the war in Ukraine."

Control of both the House and the Senate will allow Democrats to propose renewed aid to Ukraine, but they will need backing from Republicans and a two-thirds majority to ensure a proposal would survive a Trump veto.

The midterm results are unlikely to change Trump's position on trilateral peace talks with Russia and his calls for Ukraine to make concessions.

The reaction from Republicans in Europe

"The right-wing parties in Europe are certainly going to be disappointed, but that movement isn't going to step back," Greg Swenson, Chair of Republicans Overseas UK, told CGTN Europe.

"We've seen a lot of momentum around parties like the AfD in Germany, National Rally in France, and Reform and Restore in the UK. There will definitely be disappointment, but I don't think this result will affect those parties very much."

Swenson also said we actually may see the Trump administration ramping up their activity on the global stage. "Foreign policy is basically completely under the executive branch, so Trump may turn his focus there if he can't make as many changes at home," he says.

"We see this historically. Bush [Sr.] was very much a lame duck after the midterms, but he made big moves in foreign policy in this period, like threatening Serbia with military action. We saw the same with Obama and Clinton. You can do a lot with executive orders."

Swenson doesn't expect these results to change much in the relationship between the US and Europe. "Congress can pass laws, but I don't think they can pass laws that will benefit Ukraine or the EU," he says.

"They can be a nuisance, sure. Congress controls the purse strings, but I actually think gridlock could be good. I think the government should be spending less," Swenson added.