Paris: World leaders lined up to pay tribute to US President Joe Biden on Sunday after he announced he would drop out of the US presidential race despite Republican calls for him to step down before the end of his term.
Biden announced his decision in a letter released Sunday, a surprise move that boosts his 2024 run for the White House. He endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party's new nominee.
A senior Republican argued that if he is ineligible to run for re-election, he is not eligible to serve his term. But world leaders lined up to pay tribute to Biden's achievements as US president.
Poland, America and the world are safe and democracy is strong because you have taken very difficult decisions, said Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
“I know you were driven by the same motivation when you announced your final decision. Probably the most difficult time in your life,” added Tusk, who served as president of the European Council between 2014 and 2019.
British Prime Minister Keir Starr said he respected Biden's decision, adding: “I look forward to working together for the rest of his presidency.”
“I know that, as he has done throughout his remarkable career, he will make his decisions based on what he believes is best for the American people,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also paid tribute to Biden's legacy.
“My friend @POTUS Joe Biden has achieved so much: for his country, for Europe, for the world,” he wrote on X. “His decision not to run again deserves respect.”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog thanked her for decades of support.
“I want to thank @POTUS Joe Biden from the bottom of my heart for his friendship and steadfast support of the Israeli people throughout his decades-long career,” Herzog, whose role is largely ceremonial, wrote on social media.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also thanked Biden for his years of service.
“I've known President Biden for years,” he wrote on X.
“He is a 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.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wrote on X: “Thank you President Biden for your leadership and continued service.”
“The Australia-US alliance has never been stronger with our shared commitment to democratic values, international security, economic prosperity and climate action for this and future generations.”
Former President Barack Obama, with whom Biden served two terms as vice president, praised his record in office as president.
“Internationally, he restored America's standing in the world, revived NATO, and mobilized the world to stand up against Russian aggression in Ukraine,” he said.
While he had the right to run for re-election, Biden's decision to drop out was a testament to his “love of country,” Obama added.
The Kremlin said it was monitoring developments.
There are still four months left for the election. And this is a long time, during which a lot can change. We need to pay attention, follow what happens and go about our business,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the Life.ru news outlet.
While world leaders paid tribute to his performance on the world stage, leading Republicans insisted he was unfit to be president.
“If Joe Biden is not qualified to run for president, he is not qualified to serve as president,” House Speaker Mike Johnson, the top Republican in Congress, said in a statement.
He should resign immediately. November 5 cannot come soon enough,” he added.
Former President Donald Trump, who is running for president again, wrote on his Truth social network: “Crook Joe Biden was not fit to run for president, and certainly not fit to serve.”
