Radoica Radomirović, a resident of Leposavić and former Deputy Minister in the Kosovo government, was dismissed from his post this week by the same individual who appointed him just over a year ago—Kosovo’s Prime Minister. Radomirović, who previously served under the Minister for Communities and Return, Nenad Rašić, confirmed that his dismissal was expected after tensions arose between him and Rašić. Radomirović has since left Rašić’s party and is now preparing to launch a new political movement.
Speaking to the KoSSev news portal, Radomirović said, „The one who appointed me is the same one who dismissed me. It was expected. I entered into conflict with Rašić knowing the outcome. I cannot act in my own interest, but only in the interest of my associates and citizens.“
Radomirović claims that the official document announcing his dismissal provided no specific reason for the decision. However, he expected the move following a conversation with Rašić, during which he felt the minister lacked understanding of the needs of Northern Kosovo’s Serbs.
Shortly after this discussion, Radomirović resigned from Rašić’s party, with all members of his northern Kosovo branch, „Sloboda Pravda i Opstanak“ (Freedom, Justice, and Survival), following suit.
Radomirović has accused his former colleague of neglecting the Serb population in Northern Kosovo, citing financial disparities in the distribution of resources from the Ministry of Communities and Return.
He pointed out that only a fraction of the ministry’s budget was allocated to the region, highlighting that over two years, just €180,000 was provided to Northern Kosovo residents out of a total of €7 million.
„Even if the total amount is greater, I can responsibly claim that it has gone to people who are close friends and associates of Rašić. These are ministry funds intended for agriculture, start-ups, and NGOs,“ Radomirović alleged.
He also accused Rašić’s closest allies of benefiting disproportionately from these grants, while Northern Kosovo was left with insufficient support.
He added that the dissatisfaction with Rašić’s leadership extended beyond the northern region. According to Radomirović, there is widespread discontent in areas like Gračanica, Laplje Selo, Ranilug, Dobrotin, and Štrpce, where local communities feel marginalized by the ministry’s actions.
„I am personally proud because, before my appointment, this ministry had never allocated any funds to Northern Kosovo. I encouraged people to apply for grants despite pressures to avoid doing so,“ he said.
Radomirović also addressed a recent accusation from Rašić, who allegedly claimed that Radomirović was collaborating with the Serbian intelligence agency, BIA. Radomirović refuted the allegations, highlighting the absurdity of the claim given his own past conflicts with the Serbian government, including publicizing documents about misuse of funds.
„Rašić accused me of working with BIA, even though I have openly confronted the Serbian state. Meanwhile, his closest associates freely travel through Serbia without issue,“
Radomirović stated, drawing attention to the fact that his son was arrested by Serbian authorities last year, an incident that Rašić himself condemned.
Looking ahead, Radomirović confirmed that he plans to form a new political movement and intends to run in the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for February 9, 2024. He stopped short of revealing specific details about the new party but indicated that it would include individuals from across Kosovo, not just the northern regions.
„We are on the right track to forming either a political party or a civic initiative, and we will definitely participate in the parliamentary elections,“ Radomirović said.
He emphasized that his new platform would appeal to those disillusioned with Rašić’s leadership, including individuals from regions such as Gnjilane and Kosovo Pomoravlje.
The KoSSev portal reached out to the Ministry of Communities and Return for comment on Radomirović’s dismissal and the accusations against Minister Rašić, but had not received a response by the time of publication.
Preuzimanje i objavljivanje tekstova sa portala KoSSev nije dozvoljeno bez navođenja izvora. Hvala na poštovanju etike novinarske profesije.
