Filipche: small group of ex‑SDSM figures working for Mickoski, platform rejects claims

Venko Filipche, leader of SDSM, sharply criticized a newly formed platform of former party officials, saying they act as a "small group of coup-plotters in the service of Mickoski" who demand his resignation to supposedly ‘‘consolidate’’ the opposition ahead of the next elections.

Filipche accused the platform, which has presented itself under the name "Conversations about the Future at 12:05" and included representatives from Levica, the LDP and the Serbian Party in North Macedonia at yesterday’s debate, of trying to distract public attention from pressing issues such as data centres, mines, public debt, the minimum wage and pensions.

Accusations and counterattacks

"They will give me a proposal what we should do. Well, I know what is written there, because it is written in the White Palace and edited by Latas," Filipche said, adding that the appearance of the platform comes exactly when the government’s rating is falling and SDSM’s support is slowly rising.

He also criticised the platform for meeting with Levica, the party he described as openly cooperating with Russia and China, and recalled that Levica deputies once displayed a banner in Parliament stating "NATO kills for profit," Filipche said.

The platform responded by accusing Filipche of leading a party of "fictitious voting cards" rather than a membership-based organization and said that the press conference, where only half the party leadership stood behind him, proved that point. "We have many differences with Levica, but we agree that the 'tit-for-tat' tandem Mickoski – Filipche must be defeated," the platform said.

It further charged that "With the hysteria that Venko Filipche persistently tries to impose, he consciously diverts opposition votes from SDSM because he is blackmailed and must work in favour of VMRO-DPMNE," the platform said.

Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski criticised Filipche’s press conference, saying the platform missed a chance to make a positive first impression by underestimating voters when it claimed citizens support VMRO-DPMNE because they have no other option. Asked about Filipche’s allegation that platform members are paid by the government and work for Mickoski, the prime minister said he did not want to interfere in the internal affairs of the opposition party.

Photo: press material from the event