U.S. President Joe Biden during the North America's Building Trades Unions Legislative Conference in Washington, DC, USA.
It was America's "worst-kept secret": U.S. President Joe Biden's announcement this week that he would seek re-election came as no surprise. Still, there was plenty to say around the world about the president officially joining the race for a second term.
Many commentators focused on the president’s (rising) age and (sinking) popularity, with some questioning the Democratic party’s decision to stick with “old, boring and moderate” Biden instead of a more progressive candidate.
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At 80, Biden is the country’s oldest-ever incumbent president, and if re-elected would be 86 by the end of his second term.
Spain's El Confidencial predicted a repeat of 2020's "battle of the septuagenarians" – a rematch with former president Donald Trump, who will be 77 in 2024.
Trump and Biden Back in the Ring
Mexican daily El Universal featured a front-page piece on Biden's announcement that he will run again in 2024, probably against Donald Trump, called: "Trump and Biden Back in the Ring."
Mexican daily El Universalfeatured a front-page piece on Biden's announcement that he will run again in 2024, probably against Donald Trump, called:"Trump and Biden Back in the Ring"
Papy Joe, Nonno Biden
French daily Les Echos delves into Biden’s leadership and potential second term. Despite concerns about his age and physical capabilities, withe paper referring to him as “Sleepy Joe”, the article is focused instead on Biden’s strong action in Ukraine, and how he promoted an “America First'' agenda through a thoroughly crafted recovery plan destined to revitalize energy renewal.
Les Echos does question his ability to endure a second term he so desperately seeks, referencing a French cult movie called Papy fait de la résistance (a satire comedy set in World War II which translates as “Grandpa is in the Resistance”). The article concludes by speculating whether Biden can maintain a slight lead in the polls over Trump, given both are widely unpopular — although there are no clear alternatives for the Oval Office.
“Biden up for the challenge of age, and Trump” —Les Echos
Italian daily Il Fatto Quotidiano also calls Biden "grandpa," (nonno) and recalls that he had hinted during his first campaign that he would serve as a "bridge" to allow the Democrats to find a new candidate after four years. But it looks like he has changed his mind; meanwhile, the Grand Old Party, hoping to see ultra-conservative Florida governor Ron DeSantis at its helm, rejoices at this decision.
“American politics can't get rid of the old men,” writes Die Welt correspondent Clemens Wergin. “Many Democrats aren't thrilled that the sometimes confused 80-year-old is running again. Republicans are cheering, for the same reason.” Still, “old, boring and moderate” may be a recipe for electoral success, Welt predicts.
“The United States is probably preparing to revive the struggle of the septuagenarians of 2020 – the only difference is that this time, the septuagenarians will be four years older,” writes Spanish daily El Confidencial.
This is not unusual, the paper notes, recalling Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s decision not to retire while Obama was still president, which would have allowed him to choose her replacement before Republicans got the chance. Her decision to stay on, and death while Trump was in power, led to the selection of Amy Coney Barrett, making the Supreme Court a Republican stronghold for decades to come.
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