PM has 'great confidence' in US democratic system

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says he has "great confidence" in the institutions of the United States after being quizzed by reporters if he was concerned that US President Donald Trump had dismissed the counting of votes in the election.

The Trump campaign has launched legal action to stop the vote count in Pennsylvania and Michigan, as well as requesting a recount in Wisconsin.

The lawsuit follows repeated accusations of widespread voting fraud in the state of Pennsylvania.

READ MORE: Follow our live rolling coverage of the US election

There is no evidence to support claims of voter fraud during the election.

Mr Morrison today said Australia would "await the outcome" of the 2020 US election.

"It is a great democracy and it does have great institutions and we have a deep and wide relationship with the United States which is incredibly important to Australia," he said.

"We are both like-minded and like in so many ways  - our values, our partnerships, economics, security.

https://twitter.com/AmeliaAdams9/status/1324084852120080387

"And I have great confidence in the democracy of the United States, and I have great confidence in their institutions and the thing about great institutions and democracies is they deal with whatever challenges come."

READ MORE: When we will get a result from the key states

Mr Morrison stressed it was not appropriate for him to comment on the process of the election.

"I'm not a participant in the US political process. I'm a partner. Australia is a partner with the United States, and we respect the decisions that the American people make in their democracy. And we'll be patient and we'll await the outcome of their process," he said.

He described his relationship with Mr Trump as a "very productive working relationship".

READ MORE: Trump falsely declares victory, threatens Supreme Court action

"I will always put Australian's interest first in that relationship," Mr Morrison said.

The Prime Minister has not reached out to candidates Joe Biden and Mr Trump at this time.

"It's the appropriate response to be patient and respectful. And that's exactly what we're doing."

from 9News https://ift.tt/2GtTaC9
via IFTTT