According to his own statements, US President Joe Biden plans to run again for the presidential election next year - but does not want to announce it yet. "My intention is ... it was from the beginning, to compete," said the 80-year-old on Friday on ABC television when asked if he wanted to run for office again. "But I have other things to do first before I fully campaign."

His wife Jill Biden had previously told the Associated Press news agency that only the time and place for announcing a new presidential candidacy had to be decided.

There are conflicting views about Biden's chances of running again. Since entering the White House in January 2021, the President has had a number of successes, including in the fight against the corona pandemic, in economic policy, in infrastructure and in climate protection. However, many voters see his old age as a major problem.

Biden is already the oldest president in US history and would be 86 at the end of a possible second term. Asked by the ABC reporter if his age played a role in the decision to run for office again, he said, "No. But it's legitimate for people to think about my age."