Democratic convention kicks off with fiery speeches and Trump taunts

The first day of the Democratic Party convention in the USA was heated. Kamala Harris unexpectedly delivered a speech, thanking Joe Biden for his "historic leadership." Meanwhile, during Hillary Clinton's speech, thousands of delegates demanded that Donald Trump be imprisoned.

Thousands of party delegates, celebrities, and journalists from all over the world flocked to Chicago. The Democratic Party convention will last four days, during which the party's top politicians will speak.

This year's convention differs from previous ones because there will be no formal voting and selection of the party's presidential candidate, contrary to tradition. That took place at the beginning of August through virtual voting. This is due to state law in Ohio, which set an earlier deadline for candidate submission.

President Joe Biden was greeted with a several-minute standing ovation and chants of "We love Joe." In his speech, he highlighted his presidency's achievements and summarized his 50-year political career. He also pointed out the stakes of the upcoming elections.

- I have five months left in my presidency and I still have a lot to do (...) I love this job, but I love my country even more. We must preserve democracy - he said.

- Donald Trump says we are a failing nation. He says we are losing. He is the loser (...) America is winning, and the world benefits from it - Biden said. He added that contrary to the former president's claims, statistics show that crime is falling faster in history. - And it will continue to fall if we place a prosecutor in the Oval Office instead of a convicted criminal - he added, referring to Harris's career as a prosecutor in California and Trump's conviction in a criminal trial.

Former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton also raised the issue of Donald Trump's conviction. - Donald Trump fell asleep at his trial, and when he woke up, he made his history - as the first presidential candidate convicted of 34 crimes - Clinton said during her speech in Chicago. Moments later, the crowd responded with chants of "lock him up" and loud applause.

Most of her speech in Chicago, Clinton - the first woman in history nominated for president by one of the parties - devoted to Kamala Harris, her postulates concerning women's rights and restoring the right to abortion, and her chance to "break through the glass ceiling."

- On the other side of that glass ceiling is Kamala Harris, raising her hand and taking the oath as the 47th president (...) That will be when we break through - said Clinton.

Unexpectedly, on the convention's first day, the USA's Vice President appeared on stage. Harris emphasised Biden's contributions to the country in a brief, unannounced, and unscheduled speech.

- Joe, thank you for your historic leadership and your lifetime of service to our country. We are forever grateful to you - Harris said, to which the crowd responded with chants of "thank you Joe."

Harris's main speech is scheduled for the last day of the convention, Thursday. Then she is also expected to officially accept the party's nomination as the candidate in the presidential elections.