Reactions to Retreat - German politics bows before Joe Biden - with an exception
## Joe Biden withdraws from presidential race – political Berlin pays tribute
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized on X: "My friend Joe Biden has achieved much: for his country, for Europe, the world. Thanks to him, transatlantic cooperation is close, NATO is strong, the USA is a good and reliable partner for us. His decision not to run again deserves recognition."
CDU Bundestag member Norbert Röttgen stated on X: "President #Biden made a mistake by running again late, but he corrected it in the end. That deserves the greatest respect. The Democratic Party now has the chance to turn the campaign around again."
Green Party Chair Ricarda Lang wrote: "Joe Biden served his country impressively as president. And he does so even with this step. My greatest respect!"
SPD foreign policy spokesman Ralf Stegner declared, it was an "expected wildcard in the USA." In the end, this was unavoidable and necessary, to still defeat the Republican candidate Donald Trump.
CDU leader Friedrich Merz expressed himself respectfully: "Joe #Biden served the American people for more than five decades. His decision today deserves great respect."
The chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Bundestag, Michael Roth (SPD), called Biden on X in English a "president, to whom we in Europe and Germany owe much." "The end is tragic and does not do justice to his legacy." Roth, who himself had announced his retirement from politics next year, wrote further, "it seems in politics not easy to find the right moment to say Goodbye."
FDP European politician Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann sees opportunities for Biden's Democrats again due to his withdrawal. "The Democrats still have the chance to decide the election for themselves," said Strack-Zimmermann to the "Rheinische Post."
AfD reacts with jeers and conspiracy theories
Jeers came from the AfD. Bundestag member Beatrix von Storch commented, she regretted "Biden's decision not to run for president again. He was the best campaigner Trump had." In addition, she argued: "And to all those who now think his decision is right because Biden is obviously senile: THAT WAS HIM ALL ALONG. It was obvious."
Her party colleague Björn Höcke expressed himself similarly. He resorted to conspiracy theories, stating that Biden had been "too obviously the puppet for others who preferred to stay in the background." But when the puppet, despite media power, no longer had a chance to cross the finish line, it had to go.
Friedrich Merz, the CDU leader, also expressed his respect towards President Joe Biden, acknowledging his long service to the American people and the significance of his decision not to run again.
In response to Joe Biden's withdrawal from the presidential race, the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) raised concerns and made controversial remarks. Bundestag member Beatrix von Storch regretted the decision and questioned Biden's mental capacity, while her party colleague Björn Höcke suggested conspiracy theories about Biden being a puppet for hidden forces.
