US President Joe Biden has ended his 2024 bid for the presidency just four months before the election.
The decision comes after increasing doubts he is fit for four more years in the job with several top Democrats urging him to stand aside.
The 81-year-old, who has been under pressure to stand-down following a disastrous televised debate against Republican nominee Donald Trump, will continue in his role as President until next year.
In the debate held on June 27 Biden trailed off, often gave nonsensical answers and failed to criticise the former president’s many falsehoods.
Vice-President Kamala Harris is the current favourite to replace for November’s election.
Biden revealed his decision on social media on Sunday and said he will serve out the remainder of his term in office, which ends at noon on January 20, 2025.
Posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, he said: “Over the past three and a half years we have made great progress as a nation.
“It has been the greatest honour of my life to serve as your 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 my duties as President for the remainder of my term,”.
He did not immediately throw his support behind Harris, the party’s instant favourite for the nomination at its August convention in Chicago.
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