Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has expressed his well wishes for U.S. President Joe Biden after he announced he would be pulling out of the presidential race.
On July 21 (U.S. local time), President Biden penned an open letter advising he would instead “focus all my energies on my duties as president for the remainder of my term.”
Mr. Albanese thanked President Biden for his ongoing work as U.S. leader.
“The Australia-U.S. Alliance has never been stronger with our shared commitment to democratic values, international security, economic prosperity, and climate action for this and future generations,” Mr. Albanese said on his Facebook page.
Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong also took to social media to thank President Biden.
“President Joe Biden has been a great friend of Australia,” she said.
“His commitment to our shared pursuit of peace and prosperity has been unrelenting.
“Our partnership and our alliance are stronger than ever for his contribution, as are AUKUS and the Quad. We thank him for his leadership.”
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton thanked President Biden, particularly for his leadership in launching the AUKUS defence pact.
“On behalf of the Coalition and federal opposition, I thank Joe Biden for his service and leadership as the 46th president of the United States,” Mr. Dutton said on social media.
“The decision President Biden has taken today is one he believes is in the best interests of his nation, the American people, and the greater good.
Mr. Dutton said President Biden had been a leader “resolutely committed to the alliance.”
“I thank the president for the support and abiding friendship he has shown to Australia,” he said.
Meanwhile, President Biden, who is currently in isolation while he recovers from COVID-19, has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to run for president.
“My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my vice president and it’s been the best decision I’ve made,” Mr. Biden wrote on social media.
“Today, I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year.”
President Biden issued a call to Democrats across the United States, saying it was time to unify to beat Republican candidate and former President Donald Trump.
Ms. Harris, in turn, thanked President Biden for what she described as “extraordinary leadership.”
“I am honoured to have the president’s endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination,” she said.
Ms. Harris echoed President Biden’s sentiments in saying the Democrats needed to unite if they were to beat President Trump.
President Trump reacted quickly to the news, saying he never believed President Biden was fit to serve.
President Biden came to office as the 46th U.S. president in 2021.
