Filipche in Brvenica: SDSM "like couch grass", urges vote for Radeski

Venko Filipche, president of the Social Democratic Union (SDSM), closed his election rally in the municipality of Brvenica on the eve of Sunday’s mayoral vote by urging residents to back the party’s candidate, Jovica Radeski, and to turn the municipality “back into the hands of its people.”

Filipche frames Sunday’s ballot as a choice between change and continued VMRO-DPMNE rule

Speaking to supporters, Filipche listed local projects he says Radeski will deliver — renewed and expanded water supply networks, a wastewater treatment plant, restored irrigation systems for farmland, reconstructed streets and local roads, widened bridges, and an agro-industrial processing zone — and argued those concrete measures contrast with what he called VMRO-DPMNE’s failed local governance.

“I know everything you are doing, Hristijan. I know that you want SDSM to be destroyed. Because you are afraid. Because we are not under your control. Because we are the only, strong, credible opposition in the country. And you are afraid because you will be held accountable before us, before the people, and before the European Public Prosecutor’s Office,” Filipche told the crowd, repeating earlier criticism of Hristijan Mickoski’s campaign tactics.

Filipche accused the VMRO-DPMNE leader of using smear campaigns, threats and media attacks to silence the opposition instead of answering questions about his record. He singled out recent visits to nearby localities, including Miletino, where he said Mickoski openly called for the destruction of SDSM and then sought to delegitimise his opponents.

Closing his address, Filipche used a rural metaphor to underline resilience: “Hristijan, don’t let your mind deceive you. We are like couch grass. No one can destroy us. Therefore SDSM is with the people, SDSM is with citizens, workers, farmers, pensioners, and young people who want to stay in this country. SDSM is Europe, progress, development, patriotism, statesmanlike policies. SDSM is sincerity and true love for the homeland and for all our citizens,” he said, and called again for voters to turn out on Sunday in support of Radeski.

Photo: SDSM