After more than a decade in politics, Branimir Stojanović, the leader of the Serbian People’s Movement list in Gracanica, announced that he is withdrawing from political life.
In an emotional statement, Stojanović said he was stepping away “with a clear conscience, but with sadness,” as he watches “the continued disappearance of the Serbian people from Kosovo.”
“After 12 years of doing what I personally experienced as a fight for a better life for our people, I am putting an end to my political engagement,” he stated.
He added that he will “observe with a clear conscience, though with a touch of sorrow,” the further decline of the Serbian community, emphasizing that he feels he has “paid his debt to the people.”
Citing pressure on his family and friends as one of the reasons for his decision, Stojanović said: “For too long, my family and friends have suffered because of my views and my desire to make things better.”
He stressed that during his political career, he “never behaved like a vulture getting rich while the people are disappearing,” but that politics had brought him “true friends for life” and helped him distinguish between the sincere and the insincere.
In conclusion, he thanked his supporters and added that he is “entering the comfort zone without a hint of regret,” ending his statement with: “Stay healthy and well!”
The announcement came on the day when Srpska Lista secured a decisive victory in the local elections in Kosovo’s Serb-majority areas. In Gracanica, despite concerns that united Albanian parties might take over this traditionally Serb municipality, Srpska Lista’s Novak Živić won convincingly.
Stojanović’s party did not field a candidate for mayor.
Deputy Leader of Serbian Democracy Quits Politics After Disappointing Results in North Mitrovica
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