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Ira? Will not go? Officially, Michael Bloomberg is still thinking about getting into the White House race. REUTERS / Kevin Lamarque

Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has signed up for the Democratic primary in Alabama, but has not yet officially announced his candidacy.

With our correspondent in New York, Loubna Anaki

This is not the first time that Michael Bloomberg flirts with the idea of ​​getting into the presidential election. The filing of his candidacy for the Alabama primary, one of the first states to close the list of candidates allows him to keep all options open. But officially, he's still thinking.

According to his family, if he is a candidate, the former mayor of New York does not intend to campaign in the four southern states where take place the first primary Democratic. A risky strategy that raises many questions about its motives.

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The billionaire is likely to disrupt the primary Democrats who already have 16 candidates. It is likely to divide the electorate of Joe Biden, who is currently in the lead, but struggling to widen the gap. Both men play on the same centrist register. According to his entourage, Michael Bloomberg doubts the ability of Joe Biden to beat Donald Trump.

Asked about this possible candidacy, Joe Biden played the insurance. " Michael Bloomberg is a good guy. I have nothing against his candidacy, explained the former vice president . I am largely in the lead according to the latest polls I've seen .

Michael Bloomberg can in any case rely on his fortune, estimated at 50 billion dollars to finance his campaign. Which also earns him the criticisms of Bernie Sanders and Elisabeth Warren, who see there the continuity of a system where " The rich think they can buy the presidency ".