American President Joe Biden. Photo : AFP
The pressure has finally taken a toll on the US president. Joe Biden announced on Sunday his withdrawal from the race for the White House after weeks of speculation about his physical and mental capabilities, plunging his camp - and the campaign - into uncertainty.
Shortly after announcing his decision not to run for a second term, Biden declared his support for Vice President Kamala Harris’ candidacy for the November presidential election.
"Today, I wish to offer my full support and endorsement to Kamala to be our party’s candidate this year," Joe Biden said on X.
The 81-year-old Democrat thus joins the very exclusive club of outgoing American presidents who have thrown in the towel while seeking a second term. However, he is the first to do so this late in the campaign. He is also the only one forced to withdraw due to questions about his mental sharpness.
"I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country that I step aside and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as president until the end of my term," he said in a statement, announcing that he would address the nation "later this week."
This shocking announcement, although anticipated despite repeated denials from the main person involved, upends a campaign that has already seen many twists and turns, the foremost being the assassination attempt on Donald Trump on July 13.
Now, a replacement for Mr. Biden needs to be found, who was supposed to be inaugurated at his party’s convention in mid-August in Chicago. His Vice President Kamala Harris would be a natural, but not automatic, choice to become the Democrats’ candidate. The final decision lies with the delegates of the Democratic Party, 3,900 people with very varied profiles and mostly completely unknown to the general public.