Biden justifies his withdrawal from the presidential race by the need to "unite the ranks of his party"

US President Joe Biden announced on Wednesday that he had given up running for a second presidential term because he had to "unite" the ranks of the Democratic Party before the presidential elections scheduled for November.

The American President said in a speech addressed to the nation, “In recent weeks, it has become clear to me that I must unite my party,” adding that “it is time” for there to be “new voices (...) voices of younger people.”

Biden explained that he decided that “the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation to unite our nation,” adding that “the decisions we make now will determine the fate of our country and the world for decades to come.”

He stressed that he will focus on carrying out his work as president in the coming months and will continue to reduce costs for working families as well as develop his country's economy. He said that he would continue to work to "ensure that the United States remains strong, and to ensure that NATO remains strong."

Speaking about Gaza, Biden said that he would work “to end the war in Gaza and restore the detainees,” and added: “I will ensure that security remains in the Middle East and everywhere in the world.” He added: “We are working around the clock to return Americans unjustly detained around the world to their homeland,” he said.

In his speech, Biden stressed that the United States is “stronger” than “any tyrant.” He said, "America is an idea, an idea stronger than any army, bigger than any ocean, and stronger than any dictator or tyrant. It is the strongest idea in the history of the world." But he added that his country must choose in the coming months “between hope and hate,” expressing his support for his deputy, Kamala Harris, who he said has “a lot of experience and capabilities.”

US President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the US presidential elections scheduled for November 5, after being subjected to great pressure from his Democratic Party to withdraw his candidacy after his lackluster appearance in the first debate with his Republican rival, Donald Trump, and declining confidence in his ability to seize the state. A second presidential term against Trump.

On the other hand, Biden pledged to focus on fulfilling his presidential duties until the end of his term, announcing at the same time his intention to address the Americans regarding the decision to step down later this week.

Although she has been praised in recent weeks for her strong defense of Biden, some Democrats remain concerned about Harris' poor performance in her first two years in office and, most of all, the history of racial and sexual discrimination in the United States.

In a hypothetical competition, a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted on July 15 and 16 showed Harris and Trump tied, each receiving the support of 44% of voters. This poll was conducted after the attempted assassination of Trump. Trump led Biden by 43% compared to 41% in the same poll.

(AFP, Al-Arabi Al-Jadeed)