World leaders have quickly responded to the long-awaited news that President Biden has decided not to run for a second term, which took many by surprise despite the reports over the past two weeks.

“I respect President Biden’s decision and I look forward to us working together during the remainder of his presidency,” British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, elected and appointed to office less than three weeks ago, wrote on social media platform X. 

“I know that, as he has done throughout his remarkable career, he will have made his decision based on what he believes is best for the American people,” he added. 

Biden issued a statement at around 2 p.m. EST on Sunday, by all accounts keeping his decision very private up until the moment he published his statement online. Reports indicate that his campaign staff were still geared up to continue this coming week when they heard the news. 

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But reports had indicated that Biden was increasingly likely to decide to stand down, as major donors threatened to pull support and over three dozen elected Democrats in Congress urged Biden to stand aside and let the party put forward a new candidate. 

Former British prime minister and current member of parliament Rishi Sunak wrote that “working with Joe Biden, I saw firsthand his love for America and dedication to service.”

“Our partnership has led to significant achievements, including AUKUS, steadfast support for Israel and joint efforts in defending our people from Houthi threats,” Sunak wrote. “I wish him all the best.” 

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And another former Conservative Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, wrote that he would “salute Joe Biden for the bravery of his decision and also for all he has done as president.” 

“He has been a staunch Atlanticist and friend to Britain throughout his career and it was a privilege to work with him,” Johnson added. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted on X his thanks to Biden, writing in part, “We will always be thankful for President Biden’s leadership. He supported our country during the most dramatic moment in history, assisted us in preventing Putin from occupying our country, and has continued to support us throughout this terrible war.”

U.S. President Joe Biden, center, attends a working lunch with other G7 leaders to discuss shaping the global economy.  Clockwise from left, Fumio Kishida (covered), Prime Minister of Japan, Ursula von der Leyen (covered), President of the European Commission, Charles Michel, President of the European Council, Mario Draghi, Prime Minister of Italy, Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister of France, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, US President Joe Biden and Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom sit at the first working session in Castle Elmau, in Elmau, Germany, Sunday, June 26, 2022. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

Aside from Zelenskyy, a centrist, and Sunak and Johnson, mainly left-leaning European and world leaders have issued statements of thanks to Biden, praising his brave decision to step back from the election at his party’s insistence. 

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid respects to Biden, thanking him for his “leadership and ongoing service” and touting the U.S.-Australia alliance as stronger than ever “with our shared commitment to democratic values, international security, economic prosperity and climate action for this and future generations.” 

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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called Biden a “great man,” adding that “everything he does is guided by his love for his country.”

“As president, he is a partner to Canadians – and a true friend,” Trudeau wrote on X. “To President Biden and the First Lady: Thank you.” 

Biden will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later this week, but Israeli President Isaac Herzog issued some immediate thoughts on X, writing to “extend my heartfelt thanks to POTUS Joe Biden for his friendship and steadfast support for the Israeli people over his decades long career.”

“As the first US President to visit Israel in wartime, as a recipient of the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor, and as a true ally of the Jewish people, he is a symbol of the unbreakable bond between our two peoples,” Herzog wrote. “I send him, FLOTUS Jill Biden, and all his family, my warmest wishes from Jerusalem.” 

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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz wrote on X that his “friend” Biden “has achieved a lot: For his country, for Europe, for the world.” 

“Thanks to him, transatlantic cooperation is close, NATO is strong and the USA is a good and reliable partner for us,” Scholz wrote. “His decision not to run again deserves respect.”

Irish Taoiseach Simon Harris issued a statement “on behalf of the people and government of Ireland,” a country that Biden has strong familial ties to and great admiration for, saying that “I wish you, Mrs. Biden and your family every success and I look forward to working with you for the remainder of your presidency.” 

“I … would like to thank you Mr. President for your global leadership and your friendship as you make your announcement that you will not stand in the 2024 US presidential election,” Harris wrote. 

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez wrote of all his “admiration and recognition for the brave and dignified decision of the President Joe Biden.” 

“Thanks to its determination and leadership, the US overcame the economic crisis after the pandemic and the serious assault on the Capitol and has been exemplary in its support for Ukraine in the face of Putin’s Russian aggression,” Sanchez wrote on X, according to a translation. 

“A great gesture from a great president who has always fought for democracy and freedom,” Sanchez added. 

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk praised Biden for making “many difficult decisions” that have made “the world … safer, and democracy stronger.”

“I know you were driven by the same motivations when announcing your final decision,” Tusk wrote on X. “Probably the most difficult one in your life.” 

Thousands of people have demonstrated in Mallorca against what they say are the negative impacts of overtourism.

Organisers of the march say uncontrolled tourist numbers are causing a drop in wages, loss of quality of life, noise and an increase in the price of housing, both to rent and to buy.

“Now is the time to say enough is enough. We want concrete measures to limit and decrease the number of tourists coming and to improve the wellbeing of the local population,” said Pere Joan Feminia, spokesperson for the platform ‘Less Tourism, More Life’, which organised the rally.

Demonstrators marched under the banner ‘Let’s change course – let’s put limits on tourism’ in an action that was joined by 110 other civic organisations.

“Since we have been living here, we have seen the rate at which tourism has grown, in an uncontrolled and unsustainable way,” said one protester.

The demonstration in the middle of the tourist season aims to be, “a turning point, a blow on the table and the beginning of actions and mobilisations on the four islands, not just in Mallorca,” explained the organisers.

Last year, the airport authority AENA said departures and arrivals at Palma airport for July alone were up 5.9% compared to the same month in 2022, with 4.3 million people passing through the airport.

That meant Palma was the third most popular summer destination in Spain, behind Madrid and Barcelona.

And earlier this month, thousands of Barcelona residents also protested against the impact of overtourism.

Around 3,000 people from over 140 organisations took to the streets, spraying tourists with water and shouting “tourists go home”. Hotel and restaurant entrances were symbolically closed off.

They were demanding action before a summer season that experts say will set new records in the city and the wider region of Catalonia. Barcelona is Spain’s most visited city receiving 12 million people a year, many of whom arrive via cruise ship.

Rising visitor numbers are putting pressure on health services, waste management, water supplies and housing at the expense of residents. Increased construction of hotel and housing developments is endangering historic sites, biodiversity and natural resources.

The city council has recently voted in favour of increasing its tourism tax up to €4 per person from October.

One of the most pressing impacts of overtourism in Spain now is the lack of housing and soaring rent prices for residents.

Málaga locals expressed their frustration earlier this year by plastering the centre of the Spanish city with stickers telling visitors what residents think of them.

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The city on the Costa del Sol has long been a popular destination for foreign visitors, thanks to its sunny climate and relatively low cost of living. But with digital nomads now also piling in, the housing situation has become critical.

It is a story echoed throughout the country, where landlords have evicted long-term residents in favour of holidaymakers or pushed rents up so only high-earning digital nomads can afford them. Protests have taken place against overtourism in Spain from Ibiza to Malaga and Menorca.

The Canary Islands are experiencing a similarly drastic situation.

Activists say the over 10 million foreign visitors that holiday on the archipelago each year are ruining life there. Locals are reportedly sleeping in cars and caves due to soaring house prices.

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One local organisation said the islands are “collapsing socially and environmentally” under the pressure.

But tourism is big business for Spain. The tourism lobby group Exceltur said tourism accounted for 71% of real growth in the Spanish economy last year and consumption by non-residents accounted for nearly a third of Spain’s 2.5% growth in 2023, according to BBVA.

But many Spanish locals say they’re not reaping the benefits.

European pushback

But overtourism isn’t just restricted to the Balearic Islands. Many European countries have been putting tourist taxes in place, including Venice which has also banned cruise ships from entering its endangered canal system.

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In Amsterdam, authorities and locals alike have been trying for months to encourage – mostly British – drunken tourists to stay away. And in Athens, the city’s mayor announced a tourism capacity study to set the city’s limits and to gather data on short-term rentals and hotels.

While the problem appears to be a global one, it’s Spain that is leading the grassroots fight back.

Graffiti in Barcelona last year read, “We spit in your beer. Cheers!”