Platform "Conversations for the Future at 12:05" says Venko Filipche resembles Gruevski and rejects dialogue

Members of the civil platform "Conversations for the Future at 12:05" sharply criticized Venko Filipche after his latest press conference, accusing him of exhibiting an authoritarian style and of trying to silence internal party debate within SDSM.

Platformers say Filipche rejects reform and insults party veterans

In a written statement the organizers said Filipche "pours out his personal rage on those who think differently from him. He uses extremely primitive language, employs deceitful constructs, personally insults and with all his might tries to discredit proven party fighters who in the past two years and now sincerely and honestly want to help for a stronger SDSM."

They added that they see his behaviour as panicked because, in their words, "the knot is coming undone, exposing the dirtiest political deal since independence to date." The platform accuses Filipche of harming party democracy by refusing to consider structural reform proposals before rejecting them and of turning the party into an instrument for a narrow circle of people.

The statement continues: "He is definitely lost within SDSM and does not belong to the party that once served as an example of a democratic, intellectual and statesmanlike organization. The party that in the past was a symbol of decency, reason and political honour has been reduced to an instrument of a small sect whose only goal is to secure seats in the parliamentary benches at any cost."

Before making accusations of criminality, the platform urged Filipche to explain how the prosecutor, whom he himself claims is controlled by the authorities, cleared him of responsibility for the tragic fire at the modular hospital in Tetovo. Despite what they describe as threats and efforts to stop them, the organizers said they will nevertheless submit their party reform proposals to SDSM's archives.

Closing their message, the platform warned Filipche not to be ashamed on the public stage: "With regard to his threats, we benevolently tell him not to be ashamed on the public stage, because he increasingly resembles a poor copy of his political guru and idol."

Photo: press material from the event