The US president, Joe Biden, has announced that he will end his candidacy for re-election, saying “it is in the best interest of my party and the country”.
It comes four months before Americans go to the polls, upending the race for the White House.
It follows weeks of intense pressure from fellow Democrats after a faltering debate performance against the Republican candidate, Donald Trump, at the end of June.
In a letter posted to his social media account, Biden said it had been the greatest honour of his life to serve as president.
“And while it has been my intention to seek re-election, 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 the duties as president for the remainder of my term.”
Read the full statement from President Biden below:
Asaase Broadcasting
