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New York Governor Andrew Coumo (archive image)
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Lev Radin / imago images / Pacific Press Agency
After detailed allegations of sexual harassment of several women, US President Joe Biden has called on New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo to resign.
"I think he should resign," said Democrat Biden on Tuesday in the White House of his New York party friend.
The chairwoman of the House of Representatives, Democrat Nancy Pelosi, also called for Cuomo's withdrawal. The full and independent investigation of the allegations against Cuomo by New York's attorney general has been completed, Pelosi said. "In recognition of his love for New York and the respect he has for his office, I urge the governor to resign," she said. She praised the women who had the courage to go public with their allegations against Cuomo. Previously, the Democratic majority leader in the US Senate, Chuck Schumer, and several members of the House of Representatives had called for Cuomo's resignation.
It is very unusual for the US president to ask a legally elected governor to resign - especially if he belongs to the same party. However, Biden had already expressed himself very critical of the allegations against Cuomo in an interview in March. When asked whether Cuomo should resign if the investigation should confirm the allegations, Biden said at the time: "Yes." Women need "a lot of courage" to make such allegations public, Biden said. They should therefore be taken very seriously and the allegations carefully investigated, Biden said at the time.
Earlier on Tuesday, an investigation by New York Attorney General Letitia James came to the conclusion that Cuomo allegedly molested several women.
Among other things, there were unwanted touches, kisses, hugs and inappropriate comments.
In addition, Cuomo created a "hostile working atmosphere" and a "climate of fear" for women.
Cuomo immediately denied the allegations.
"I want you to hear directly from me that I have never touched or approached anyone inappropriately," Cuomo said.
"That just doesn't correspond to who I am, or who I ever was." Cuomo did not address a possible resignation.
In the meantime, the governor was seen as a beacon of hope for the Democratic Party.
In the corona pandemic, he presented himself as an alternative to the then Republican President Donald Trump.
sol / dpa