The world has reacted to US president Joe Biden‘s decision to pull out of the 2024 presidential election, with Israel‘s PM leading the praise.
The 81-year-old tonight stepped aside after facing weeks of questions over his fitness to serve following his disastrous presidential debate performance that sparked a series of fumbles he could not recover from.
His historic move comes 24 days after the debate and following a 50-year career in politics that culminated in his ascension to the White House.
Biden, a long-time supporter of Israel, was congratulated by the nation’s president.
Isaac Herzog said of Biden in a post to X: ‘I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Joe Biden for his friendship and steadfast support for the Israeli people over his decades long career.
Isaac Herzog (pictured) said: ‘I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Joe Biden for his friendship and steadfast support for the Israeli people’
The 81-year-old tonight stepped aside after facing weeks of questions over his fitness to serve
Ireland’s Taoiseach Simon Harris described Biden as a ‘voice for reason’
‘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.
‘I send him, Jill Biden, and all his family, my warmest wishes from Jerusalem.’
Ireland’s Taoiseach Simon Harris described Biden as a ‘voice for reason.’
‘On behalf of the people and government of Ireland. I, as Taoiseach, would like to thank you Mr President for your global leadership and your friendship as you make your announcement that you will not stand in the 2024 US Presidential election’, he said.
‘The world has changed since President Biden’s victory in 2020 and we have had to face extraordinary challenges from a global pandemic to the return of war to the continent of Europe with the horrific full- scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia which has deliberately targeted and killed innocent civilians.
‘President Biden has been a voice for reason, effective multilateralism and shared solutions.’
Moments after his announcement, Biden posted to X an endorsement of Harris to take over his campaign
British PM Keir Starmer, elected earlier this month, (pictured) said: ‘I respect President Biden’s decision’
Across the Irish Sea, British PM Keir Starmer, elected earlier this month, said: ‘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.’
Over in Europe, Germany’s chancellor Olaf Scholz said: ‘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 recognition.’
Poland’s PM Donald Tusk echoed Scholz’s sentiments, saying: ‘Mr. President, many times you have made difficult decisions that have made Poland, America, and the world safer, and democracy and freedom stronger.
‘I know that you were guided by the same principles when announcing your latest decision. Perhaps the most difficult one in your life.’
President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race and ended his reelection bid after a slew of backlash for his car crash debate performance on June 27 against Donald Trump
Over in Europe, Germany’s chancellor Olaf Scholz (pictured, left) said: ‘My friend Joe Biden has achieved a lot: for his country, for Europe, for the world’
The Czech Republic’s PM Petr Fiala said: ‘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.
‘I am keeping my fingers crossed for the USA that a good president emerges from the democratic competition of two strong and equal candidates.’
Spain’s Pedro Sanchez, the nation’s prime minister, said on X: ‘All my admiration and recognition for the brave and dignified decision of the president Joe Biden.
‘Thanks to its determination and leadership, the US overcame the economic crisis after the pandemic and the serious assault on the Capitol and has been exemplary in its support for Ukraine in the face of Putin’s Russian aggression.
‘A great gesture from a great president who has always fought for democracy and freedom.’
And Norway’s PM Jonas Gahr Støre added: ‘I respect Joe Biden’s decision not to run for re-election. That justification deserves respect,’ Stoere told national broadcaster NRK.
‘Biden has been one of America’s most prominent politicians over several decades, and a president who has carried out several important reforms.’
Biden’s closet neighbour, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau said: ‘I’ve known President Biden for years. He’s great man, and everything he does is guided by his love for his country.
‘As President, he is a partner to Canadians and a true friend. To President Biden and the First Lady: thank you.’
Biden’s international adversaries weighed in as well.
The Kremlin said it was monitoring developments after US President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 US election race, adding that a ‘lot can change’ in the meantime.
Some speculate either California Gov. Gavin Newsom or Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer could be selected as Harris’ running mate
‘The election is still four months away. And it’s a long time, during which a lot can change. We need to pay attention, follow what will happen and go about our business,’ Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the Life.ru news outlet.
Biden announced his bombshell decision in a one-page letter where he committed to completing his term and soon after posted a follow-up tweet endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as his replacement.
Now Democrats must race to shore up their campaign behind a new nominee with less than four months until election day.
‘It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President,’ Biden wrote in a letter posted to his X account on Sunday.
‘And while it has been my intention to seek reelection,’ he went on, ‘I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.’
The announcement came the same day a slew of Biden’s allies went on the airwaves to insist the President was not stepping down and would continue his reelection efforts.
Biden said in his letter that he would speak in more detail about his decision in remarks to the country later this week.
Last week, Biden was pulled from the campaign trail after he was diagnosed with COVID-19 for the third time in the middle of a west coast swing. This led to even more speculation that he would soon drop out of the race.