Joe Biden has pulled out of the 2024 presidential race.
In a development that sends the contest into unchartered territory, the US president announced that he will no longer be seeking a second term.
Instead, another Democrat will now need to be chosen to face off against Republican nominee Donald Trump in November in a race that has already been marked by tension, division and an assassination attempt.
Image: Pic: NBC
The seismic development comes after months of speculation about Mr Biden’s age and fitness to serve another four years – amid a series of high-profile gaffes and a disastrous debate performance.
Mr Biden, 81, had previously insisted he was best placed to defeat Mr Trump in the upcoming election but had faced calls from within his own party to step aside.
A source close to the president recently admitted “we’re close to the end” after Barack Obama, the former president who picked Mr Biden as his vice-president during his two terms in office, reportedly shared his concerns about his ally’s re-election bid.
And he tested positive for COVID while on the campaign trail, with mild symptoms including “general malaise”.
Attention will now turn to who will succeed him, with the selection likely to happen at the Democratic National Convention in August.
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.
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Source : Sky News
