World leaders, led by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, have expressed widespread admiration and respect following President Biden’s unexpected decision to step down from seeking re-election. Here’s the full story.
Shocking and Unexpected
In a shocking and unexpected turn of events, US President Joe Biden announced that he would not seek re-election, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris to lead the Democratic ticket.
Decision Reverberates
Biden’s decision to withdraw from the upcoming US presidential election, following weeks of speculation over his age and mental acuity after a disastrous TV debate against Trump, has reverberated through political circles both in the United States and internationally. At 81, Biden cited his belief that stepping aside was in “the best interest of my party and the country.”
Concerns Over Ability
This unexpected move came after serious concerns were raised by Democrat politicians, donors and voters regarding his ability to secure a win against the Republican nominee, Donald Trump. Biden’s announcement stressed his focus on fulfilling his duties for the remainder of his term while offering full support to Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee.
International Reactions Begin
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was among the first international leaders to respond to Biden’s announcement. Starmer stated, “I respect President Biden’s decision, and I look forward to us working together during the remainder of his presidency. I know that, as he has done throughout his remarkable career, President Biden will have made his decision based on what he believes is in the best interests of the American people.”
European Tributes
Similarly, European leaders were quick to offer their tributes to Biden. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote directly to the President on X, formerly Twitter, stating, “You’ve made many difficult decisions, thanks to which Poland, America, and the world are safer and democracy stronger. I know you were driven by the same motivations when announcing your final decision—probably the most difficult one in your life.”
Czech PM’s Sentiments
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala echoed these sentiments, writing on X, “It is undoubtedly the decision of a statesman who has served his country for decades. It is a responsible and personally difficult step, but it is all the more valuable.”
Irish Praise
Similarly, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris lauded Biden in a statement released on X. In it, he praised Biden as “a voice for reason, effective multilateralism and shared solutions” and commended Biden’s leadership, calling him “an unwavering voice and passionate worker for peace on the island of Ireland.”
German Recognition
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also recognized Biden’s contributions to international relations, writing on X, “My friend Joe Biden has achieved a lot: for his country, for Europe, for the world. Thanks to him, transatlantic cooperation is close, NATO is strong and the USA is a good and reliable partner for us. His decision not to run again deserves respect.”
Ukrainian Gratitude
Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenskyy praised Biden as a strong ally of Ukraine and thanked him for his unwavering support, writing on X, “Ukraine is grateful to President Biden for his unwavering support for Ukraine’s fight for freedom, which, along with strong bipartisan support in the United States, has been and continues to be critical.”
Support for Ukraine
He added, “We will always be thankful for President Biden’s leadership. He supported our country during the most dramatic moment in history, assisted us in preventing Putin from occupying our country, and has continued to support us throughout this terrible war.”
Middle East Responses
In the Middle East, reactions from America’s allies were also positive, with Israeli President Isaac Herzog stating, “As the first US President to visit Israel in wartime, as a recipient of the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor, and as a true ally of the Jewish people, he is a symbol of the unbreakable bond between our two peoples.”
Russian Criticism
However, not all reactions to Biden’s announcement were so complimentary. Russian state Duma leader Vyacheslav Volodin stated, “Biden has caused problems all over the world and in his own country, the United States. Since he sees that he will not be elected, he is withdrawing without waiting for the election.”
Allies’ Respect
As the shockwaves following President Biden’s shock decision to step down continue to reverberate, the overarching theme from American allies is one of respect and admiration for his decades of service. Similarly, Vice President Kamala Harris thanked Biden, saying, “I am honoured to have the president’s endorsement, and my intention is to earn and win this nomination.”
Harris’ Commitment
She added, “I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party —and unite our nation — to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda. We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win.”
Future Uncertain
However, with Harris and Trump tied in the polls, it remains to be seen what Biden’s decision to step down will mean for the future of the most powerful country in the world and its allies, including the UK.
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Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Sean Aidan Calderbank.