VMRO‑DPMNE says government led by SDSM, not the current cabinet, is linked to ATS Group

VMRO‑DPMNE responded to SDSM's accusations that the Skopje private company ATS Group is paying U.S. lobby firm Mercury Public Affairs, saying the current cabinet has no link to a private contract between the two companies and arguing that any connection was with a government led by SDSM.

In a written reaction the opposition party directly questioned SDSM spokesperson Bogdanka Kuzeska and pointed to public appearances by former leaders. The statement asked whether Kuzeska meant "the same 'ATS Group' that Zoran Zaev opened and posed smiling together with half the government, where, by the way, Radmila Shekerinska — who is now NATO's Deputy Secretary General — was present? Or about the same 'ATS Group' for which Zaev himself said at the company's opening that it is a result of NATO membership or, to quote him, 'Membership in NATO opens new markets and opportunities to increase exports and investments'?"

Claims about patronage and past support

VMRO‑DPMNE also raised questions about the company's owner, Shefshet Demirovski, and the support he allegedly received from officials during the previous administration. The party cited as examples statements and backing from former deputy prime minister Fatmir Bytyqi and from the then Ministry of Defence, and referenced remarks by former prime minister Dimitar Kovacevski on ATS Group's contribution to NATO's defence capabilities.

In its reaction the opposition accused SDSM of deliberate misdirection and political opportunism: "The dregs of SDSM are masters at scoring own goals. Truly, SDSM's preoccupation with spreading lies and disinformation has become disgusting. The severe lack of ideas in which they find themselves is becoming a chronic condition of a party occupied by criminal structures, headed by Zoran Zaev and Venko Filipche."

SDSM spokesperson Bogdanka Kuzeska earlier alleged that ATS Group, which manufactures ammunition, helmets and ballistic equipment, pays about $130,000 per month to the U.S. lobbying firm Mercury Public Affairs to promote topics presented as Macedonia's strategic priorities in the United States. The accusation was published by the party alongside a short video statement from Kuzeska.

The exchange underscores a widening political confrontation between the two main parties, with VMRO‑DPMNE rejecting any suggestion that the present government is connected to the private contract and SDSM pressing the lobbying allegations as part of its critique of past ties between officials and business interests.

Photo: press material from the event