THE Robert F. Kennedy the youngest announced today Monday that he is leaving the race for the Democratic nomination, and will run as an independent candidate for the presidency of the United States in the 2024 elections.

He is the nephew of the former US president John F. Kennedywho was assassinated in 1963, and the son of former Sen Robert F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1968 during the primary elections.

Leading figure of the anti-vaccination movement in the US, Robert Kennedy Jr. has tried to present himself as a candidate who can unite Americans and represent voters tired of partisan bickering.

“They stop me everywhere – at airports, hotels, even on the streets – and remind me that this country is ready for a historic change! I am here today to declare that I will be an independent candidate,” Kennedy told hundreds of supporters in Philadelphia, USA.

The American Values ​​2024 committee, which supports the Kennedy candidacy, has so far raised 17 million dollars and estimates that it will secure another 10 million in the next period, its co-founder Tony Lyons told the Reuters news agency.

Kennedy’s independent candidacy complicates the race for the 2024 presidential election, where the scenario of a repeat of the duel between Democrat Joe Biden and Republican Donald Trump is predicted by polling companies as the most likely.

However, the independent candidacy was criticized by his brothers – Kerry Kennedy, Rory Kennedy and Joseph Kennedy II – saying in a joint statement: “Bobby may have the same name as our father, but does not share the same values, his vision and judgment. Today’s announcement causes us deep sadness.”