Financial markets are preparing for what will likely be a wild Monday, after US President Joe Biden made a (somewhat surprising) announcement in the early afternoon hours on Sunday US east coast time, that he would not seek reelection in the upcoming US election in November.

President Biden was coming under increasing pressure from within his own Democratic Party (and among major Democratic Party donors) to cede the nomination, following a disastrous debate in late June with Republican Party candidate, and former US President, Donald Trump.

Interestingly, in the letter (see full text below) which President Biden released in his personal @JoeBiden X (formerly Twitter) account describing his decision, he thanked Vice President Kamala Harris for being an “extraordinary partner”, but declined to endorse her as the new nominee. That has led to widespread speculation as to who indeed would replace President Biden as Democratic Party nominee – and, as to how exactly the process will go.

Stock markets and FX rates globally generally take their cue from the US markets, and those cues are likely to be varied and interesting to follow in the days to come.

The letter released by President Biden on his personal X account today reads as follows.

Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

July 21, 2024

My Fellow Americans,

Over the past three and a half years, we have made great progress as a Nation.

Today, America has the strongest economy in the world. We’ve made historic investments in rebuilding our Nation, in lowering prescription drug costs for seniors, and in expanding affordable health care to a record number of Americans. We’ve provided critically needed care to a million veterans exposed to toxic substances. Passed the first gun safety law in 30 years. Appointed the first African American woman to the Supreme Court. And passed the most significant climate legislation in the history of the world. America has never been better positioned to lead than we are today.

I know none of this could have been done without you, the American people. Together, we overcame a once in a century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. We’ve protected and preserved our Democracy. And we’ve revitalized and strengthened our alliances around the world.

It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, | believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.

I will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision.

For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me reelected. I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work. And let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me.

I believe today what I always have: that there is nothing America can’t do — when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America.