Biden: “We accept the decision that the country has made”
The US President addresses the nation with a speech. The American people deserve a peaceful and orderly transfer of power, Biden said in Washington. He also said that to Donald Trump the day before when he congratulated him on his election victory by telephone.
He also spoke to Kamala Harris. She and her team should be proud of their election campaign, says Biden. An election campaign is a competition; you choose a candidate. This fight was lost. The Democrat emphasizes: “We accept the decision that the country has made.” The country's electoral system is honest, fair and transparent and can be trusted. At the same time, Biden is encouraging the Democrats. “A defeat doesn’t mean we’ve been defeated,” he says. “Setbacks are inevitable, but giving up is unforgivable.” You have to keep fighting for the America you dream of.
Biden speaks in front of the White House for about eight minutes, the tone is conciliatory. He refers several times to the long history of the USA and its democracy. At the end of the speech, Biden appealed: “Don’t forget what we have achieved.” America has changed for the better. In the last few weeks until the handover of office, it is now important to finish what was started.
The head of state's words were reassuring considering that there had even been talk of a possible civil war, writes US correspondent Peter Burghardt about Biden's appearance:
