VMRO‑DPMNE: Venko Filipche represents Bulgarian interests and is silent on Tsar Samuel relics
Party spokesman says Filipche supports including Bulgarians in the Constitution and has not commented on the transfer of Tsar Samuel's relics.
VMRO‑DPMNE accused SDSM leader Venko Filipche on Wednesday of adopting Bulgarian positions instead of defending Macedonian interests and of remaining silent over the reported transfer of the relics of Tsar Samuel to Bulgaria. The charge was raised by party spokesman Valentin Manasievski at a press briefing in Skopje.
Manasievski said Filipche repeatedly supports inserting Bulgarians into the Constitution and echoed Sofia’s stance on several historical questions. “Filipche has recently remained silent about the transfer of the so‑called relics of Tsar Samuel to Bulgaria. He is silent because with his mentor Zaev, through the historical commission, they gave him up at the first moment, without thinking,” he told reporters.
Accusations on history and identity
At the briefing, Manasievski also criticised Filipche and former prime minister Zoran Zaev for positions on wartime history and the Macedonian language. “Filipche and his mentor Zaev said that the Bulgarians were liberators, not fascists in World War II, that they were administrators, and that the Macedonian language dates from 1944, and that our state was created thanks to communism,” he said, framing those views as betrayals of national identity.
He added that Filipche was willing to make any concession to gain power: “From stable healthcare, to a marijuana economy and the capitulation of Macedonia's identity and integrity.” Manasievski said VMRO‑DPMNE under leader Hristijan Mickoski would stand with citizens to protect the country's dignity.
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, speaking the previous day on television, said the government's position on constitutional amendments as a condition for starting EU membership talks is clear and intended to advance the integration process. “Constitutional changes remain a condition for the EU, but we are trying to preserve dignity,” Mickoski said, adding that his administration seeks a way to move the negotiations forward.
SDSM president Venko Filipche has in turn accused Mickoski of driving the country into isolation from the EU, saying citizens pay the price through falling living standards, high prices and youth emigration.
On the bilateral track, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova‑Chamova told reporters after a meeting with North Macedonia’s foreign minister Timcho Mucunski in Sofia that the return of Tsar Samuel’s remains was not on the agenda. She described the act as “a great triumph for Bulgaria” and said it could serve a unifying function rather than being seen negatively toward North Macedonia.
Photo: VMRO-DPMNE
