VMRO-DPMNE: Venko Filipche cannot escape his political past and ties to Aleksandar Vučić

VMRO-DPMNE has accused Venko Filipche of trying to recast himself as a sharp critic of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, but the party says his past ties to Vučić and to former prime minister Zoran Zaev are well known and cannot be erased by repeated press briefings.

In a party statement VMRO-DPMNE said: "Filipche is now trying to present himself as a fierce critic of Aleksandar Vučić, but we all remember well the period when he and Zoran Zaev built close political relations with him, signed pacts, and there were big gatherings and drinking until the early morning hours."

Videos and appointments cited as proof

The party pointed to video footage that has circulated publicly from private gatherings in Dubai where, it says, Filipche and Zaev appear celebrating while singer Haris Džinović performs. VMRO-DPMNE also claims there are recordings showing Vučić and members of his government at parties with the same performer.

VMRO-DPMNE quoted: "There are videos known to the public, on which it is clearly seen how Zoran Zaev and Venko Filipche are enjoying a party in Dubai while Haris Džinović is singing for them, and there are also such ones on which, at a private party, Ana Brnabić is seen together with other ministers of Vučić also with Džinović. Also, there is a video of Vučić himself, in which he is seen enjoying Džinović's songs."

Beyond the footage, the party recalled the reception Vučić received at the border and alleged ties between SDSM and the Serbian president through personnel decisions in the energy sector and within the party — mentioning appointments such as the director of ESM and the engagement of Bašanović in SDSM. VMRO-DPMNE summarized its view bluntly: "Venko Filipche and Aleksandar Vučić are one and the same."

The statement also referenced electoral setbacks for SDSM in Skopje, Kumanovo and Brvenica and warned that the opposition will continue to publish further details it says demonstrate the connections between Filipche, Zaev and Vučić.

Separately, the party included a short note about the recent Serbian vote: it says Aleksandar Vučić acknowledged defeat and that preliminary results show the Student List with 140 seats, the list "Aleksandar Vučić – United Serbia" with 104 seats, and four minority lists holding a total of six seats.

Photo: press material from the event