USA Biden proposes Vice Harris as a replacement candidate

Following his announcement that he will no longer seek a second term in office, US President Joe Biden has put forward his deputy Kamala Harris as a replacement candidate for the November election. Biden made the announcement on social media X, Facebook and Instagram. The 81-year-old explained that it was his best decision in the 2020 election year to select Harris as his running mate. He therefore expressed his full support for her to run as the Democratic candidate in the upcoming election.

The decision is up to party delegates from all states.

With a view to the election campaign against Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, he called on his party to unite: "Democrats - it's time to come together and beat Trump."

Biden had previously announced his withdrawal from the presidential race - also via Instagram, Facebook and X. In recent weeks, the 81-year-old had come under massive pressure in his own party due to his age and mental state. Biden's withdrawal so close to the election is a dramatic turnaround and causes further chaos in an already historic US election year.

"While it was my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to withdraw and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term," the Democrat wrote. "I will speak more fully to the nation about my decision later this week."

The crisis of recent weeks

Biden came under extreme criticism after a disastrous performance in a televised duel against former President Trump at the end of June. During the exchange of blows, the most powerful man in the world regularly floundered, lost his train of thought, stared into space with his mouth open and was often unable to finish his sentences properly. There had already been reservations about Biden's re-election ambitions within the Democratic Party and among the population due to his age. But after the duel, the debate about Biden's suitability as the Democrats' presidential candidate flared up to a whole new level - and in public.

After the debate, Biden's poll ratings deteriorated significantly once again. And in his own party, one after the other dared to publicly call for Biden's withdrawal from the presidential race.

In recent days, Biden had retreated to his private home in Rehoboth Delaware after contracting coronavirus and did not make any public appointments. During his forced break, he now decided to bow to pressure from his party colleagues.

Democrats face mammoth task

The Democrats now have to reshuffle and arrange a successor in the shortest possible time. It remains to be seen whether the party will follow Biden's suggestion and unite behind Harris. The 59-year-old has so far remained pale in her vice-presidential role alongside Biden, but has recently received the support of a number of important party members in view of Biden's weakness. The Democrats will officially nominate their presidential candidate at a party conference in Chicago in mid-August.

The Republicans have already officially chosen their presidential candidate Trump at a nomination convention in Milwaukee.