It will be several more weeks until it is clear which party controls the two houses of the U.S. Congress, but just days after the November midterm elections, Democrats are celebrating while Republicans put their best face on a disappointing performance.
The outcome is likely to have little direct effect on U.S. policy, but the results will hearten democrats — those with a small "d" — around the world who have been troubled by developments in the practice of U.S. politics.
Traditionally, the party that occupies the White House takes a beating in the midterm ballot. This year, high inflation, rising crime and President Joe Biden’s low approval ratings were supposed to power “a red wave” — a tsunami in the most optimistic forecasts — that would give Republicans control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives.