Schroeder sees good cooperation with Bush

"With George W. Bush a candidate has been elected who stands for continuity and maintenance of transatlantic relations with Europe - and against isolationism," Schroeder told a news conference in Berlin.

The German leader said he was encouraged by the fact that the election had shown a broad consensus among Americans for the international commitment of the United States.

Schroeder said the "close partnership" between Germany and the U.S. had always been and would remain a supporting pillar of Berlin's foreign policy.

"I am convinced that we will work closely, well, and above all successfully with the new American government," said Schroeder.

Schroeder leads Germany's centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) and his politics contrast with the conservative views of Bush.

In a telegram sent to Bush congratulating him on the election victory, Schroeder said the German people remained deeply aware of the big role played by Bush's father, the former U.S. President George Bush, in the 1990 reunification of Germany.

Of the three Western allies in former West Germany - the U.S., Britain and France - only President Bush backed the reunification drive from the start, as has been repeatedly attested by former German chancellor Helmut Kohl.

Germany's opposition conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) expressed delight over the Bush victory. CDU leader Angela Merkel said that with Bush the CDU would have a partner party in the White House.

(dpa)