The US Congress has formally confirmed Biden’s election as the next president. Acting Vice President Pence announced the official final result. This clears the way for Biden’s inauguration on January 20th.
After the US parliamentary seat was forcibly stormed, Congress officially confirmed the victory of Democrat Joe Biden in the presidential election. The incumbent US Vice President Mike Pence announced the official end result in a joint meeting of both chambers of congress. Biden had been elected as Donald Trump’s successor with the vote of 306 voters, he said.
Trump announced shortly after that he would no longer oppose the transfer of power. He also confirmed that he did not agree with the outcome of the election. “Even if I absolutely disagree with the election result and the facts confirm me, there will still be a proper handover on January 20th,” said the outgoing president, according to a message distributed by Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino on Twitter.
Congress had previously had to suspend its deliberations for several hours because angry supporters of Trump had invaded the Capitol. According to police, four people died in connection with the riots.
Inauguration on January 20th
Confirmation by Congress clears the way for Biden’s inauguration on January 20. The formal post-election procedure in the USA stipulates that the results from the individual states are certified in Congress. Only then is it official who has won the election. It is the end of a long formal act before a new president is sworn in.
Usually this is a quick formal procedure. This year, however, incumbent Trump steadfastly refuses to admit defeat. The Republican had lost the election in early November by a clear margin. The state electorate confirmed Biden’s clear victory: The Democrat received 306 of the 538 votes – 36 more than required. 232 electorates voted for Trump.
However, Trump claims he was robbed of victory by massive election fraud. Neither he nor his lawyers provided any convincing evidence. Dozens of lawsuits from the Trump camp have so far been thrown out of courts, including the US Supreme Court.
Two appeals rejected
Trump had presented this day of the congressional session – without any basis – for weeks as the last opportunity to overturn the election result. Driven by his allegations of fraud, Republicans appealed the election results from the states of Arizona and Pennsylvania, forcing the House of Representatives and the Senate to withdraw to separate sessions. However, the action had no prospect of success from the start. The Congress Chambers rejected both appeals.