Bernie Sanders, 74, is the other Democratic candidate, alongside the more popular Hillary Clinton, in the running to become president of the United States after the end of the Obama era. He is currently serving his second term as senator, having won the election in Vermont in 2012 with 71 per cent of the vote. He served as mayor of the city of Burlington for eight years, where he still lives with his wife Jane. He has four children and is a grandfather of seven.

A meeting of climate experts within the first 100 days

His political programme, in the event of a victory on 8 November 2016, is the closest to European standards, grounded in the welfare state and risk prevention. Starting with his stance on climate change. As president, Sanders will commit to organising a climate summit within the first 100 days, bringing together the best engineers, scientists, experts, activists and leaders from the local and indigenous communities most at risk. A moment to try to go beyond the Paris Agreement and chart a course towards a better future, for everyone. Sanders has also pledged to restore the United States to the forefront of the international fight against global warming, because "climate change is not just an 'environmental issue', but also a matter of international security," as specified by the US Department of Defense and the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency).

bernie sanders — One of Sanders's slogans is A future to believe in

I don't care if you're black or white, gay or straight

Sanders uses the same resolute and progressive tone when it comes to defending minorities of any kind — ethnic, religious, sexual — and women.

With regard to people of colour, Sanders proposes combating discrimination by tackling five principal forms of violence: physical, political, legal, economic and environmental. Only in this way, according to the Democratic candidate, will it be possible to transform the United States into a truly equal country.

Sanders considers the difference in treatment between men and women in the workplace a national disgrace. For the same profession, for every dollar earned by a man, a woman receives only 79 cents. The disparity is even more pronounced for women of colour. An African-American woman, in fact, earns 64 cents for every dollar earned by a white man. That figure drops to 54 cents for a Latina woman. Sanders's idea is to sign the Paycheck fairness act, a bill that would strengthen the Equity pay act of 1963, which eliminates pay disparity based on sex.

Finally, Bernie Sanders proposes enacting the bill against discrimination based on sexual orientation (Equality act) and supporting the rights of LGBT communities (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender). It should be noted that Sanders is a longstanding advocate of equality and, as mayor, authorised the first gay pride event in the city of Burlington.

bernie sanders giovane — Bernie Sanders when he was mayor of Burlington

I will defend this nation and its people. Responsibly

Like every candidate for the presidency of the United States and to become commander-in-chief of the armed forces, Sanders is also eager to defend "the nation, its people and its strategic and vital interests," but unlike others he would like to do so "responsibly" — it is no coincidence that he was one of the few senators to vote against the war in Iraq. That means through diplomatic solutions, while not ruling out the use of force as a last resort. President Sanders will focus on a multilateral approach. He will close the Guantánamo detention camp and abolish the use of torture, in an effort to emphasise what has made America great — to use a phrase dear to one of his Republican rivals: values. Returning to lead the international community and expanding American influence in the world is possible. It simply requires understanding how much the world has changed — and how quickly — in recent years. Today, being a leader — according to Sanders — means promoting a form of sustainable trade, combating climate change, providing humanitarian assistance and aid, and investing in human rights. As in a democratic revolution.

Bernie Sanders: “I will defend America, responsibly”