A surprise for Pete Buttigieg, a slap for Joe Biden. After an interminable wait, the Democratic Party of Iowa finally gave, Tuesday, February 4, an overview of the results of the Democratic caucuses on Monday. On the data of 62% of the polling stations, the young moderate Pete Buttigieg comes first with 26.9% of the delegates, followed very closely by the socialist Bernie Sanders with 25.1% of the delegates.

Next come the progressive Elizabeth Warren with 18.3% of the delegates and, in fourth place, the former centrist vice-president Joe Biden with 15.6% of the delegates. The latter was however given neck and neck in this race with Bernie Sanders.

"A campaign which started a year ago with four members and no money (...) has propelled itself to the head of this race", immediately reacted a Pete Buttigieg moved during a speech since the New Hampshire, next state to vote next Tuesday. He had already given a winner's speech Monday evening, without waiting for the publication of official figures.

Bernie Sanders leads popular vote

In terms of popular voting, however, it is Bernie Sanders who leads, according to figures from the Democratic Party of Iowa. His campaign issued a press release shortly after the results were released: "We want to thank the people of Iowa. We are happy to see that from the results released so far, it is clear that at first round like the second round, more people voted for Bernie than any other candidate. "

The results should have been published overnight from Monday to Tuesday. But a problem with the mobile app supposed to compile the results has delayed the process. Iowa Democrat Party President Troy Price apologized Tuesday for the "unacceptable" delay. Not sure that these excuses are enough to calm the anger of the candidates' campaign teams but also of the voters. Especially since Troy Price refused to say when the full results would be delivered.

Until all the data is known, it will be difficult to deliver a reliable analysis. It is however already possible to note that the fourth place of Joe Biden, the favorite of the polls at the national level, is a slap for his campaign. It is also the confirmation of a feeling of pessimism which emerged by observing, this weekend, the partisans of the ex-vice-president. The crowd he drew on Sunday, on the eve of the vote, was indeed much smaller than that of Pete Buttigieg, and above all much less enthusiastic. Same thing in their respective speeches after the vote on Monday evening.

Pete Buttigieg has arrived on stage and his supporters are excited. #IowaCaucuses pic.twitter.com/f8RbgAPTFy

- Yona Helaoua (@YonaHelaoua) February 4, 2020

The France 24 week summary invites you to come back to the news that marked the week

I subscribe

Download the app

google-play-badge_FR