Athens - Hundreds of supporters of US Democrats erupted in cheers in downtown Athens Wednesday to welcome Barack Obama as the first African-American elected president.

"He made it," said Alexandra Bougadis, 23, early Wednesday. The student joined hundreds of others at a hotel at an election event attended by the US ambassador that began at 9 pm the night before.

"There needs to be a change and he is the one to do it," she said. "The whole world is backing him."

Bill Kyritsis, executive vice president of the Hellenic chapter of Democrats Abroad said a record breaking 20 per cent of the more than 107,000 Americans living in Greece turned out to vote.

"More than 75 per cent of all the voters in Greece are Obama supporters - it was the biggest voter turnout in years and the victory will hopefully bring about peace and economic stability across the world," said Kyritsis.

"Even though he is an elected US president, Obama will ultimately have a domino affect throughout the world."

Down the street at a another gathering, Republican supporters had packed up and gone home well before the Democrats had gotten out their dancing shoes. (dpa)