Several Republican MPs have announced that they will not confirm Joe Biden’s victory in the US presidential election. At the joint meeting of the House of Representatives and the Senate, at which Biden’s presidency should actually be formally approved, they want to refuse their approval.
They justified the plans with allegations of election fraud and alleged irregularities in the votes in several US states.
In addition, eleven Republican senators announced in a joint statement that they would set up a commission that would investigate the allegations in an urgent manner within ten days. They wanted clarity before the inauguration of the new president on January 20. Otherwise, they might not be able to approve the results.
The group is led by Senator Ted Cruz from Texas, who is loyal to incumbent Republican President Donald Trump. Several other Republicans from the group had only made the leap into the Senate in the November election and are to be sworn in on Sunday in the constituent session of the chamber.
Confirmation actually formality
Historically, confirming the winner is considered a formality. However, the outgoing President Trump refuses to acknowledge his defeat. He has made numerous allegations of suspected election fraud in recent months without producing any evidence.
The initiatives could delay the final confirmation of Biden’s victory. However, they have no prospect of success.