Skopje, 24 May 2024 (MIA) — It is not time to fulfill one's personal ambitions but to implement a new work concept in SDSM, one based on "us" and not "me," SDSM member and Free Zones Authority head Jovan Despotovski told MIA in response to a question if he will run for party president after Dimitar Kovachevski's resignation.

After SDSM parliamentary election fiasco, he said he believed the party needed to radically pivot from its previous political approach and party officials.

"The message from our members and citizens was clear. That's why I urge my party comrades from the current leadership to take responsibility and close this issue without further delay, to prioritize SDSM over personal desires and ambitions," Despotovski said.

"Otherwise, how will we show citizens we have heard and understood the message they sent us? If they are again offered what they said clearly 'no' to? Now we have to think about tomorrow. SDSM needs a new concept, a solution to be reborn," he said.

He recalled that he already offered a different concept for SDSM when he ran for the leadership position three years ago.

"When I offered a different concept and ran for president, I clearly said I did not agree with the course SDSM was on. Now, motivated again, together with a dedicated team of comrades as well as people who have never been in politics before, we are working on a concept that is based on 'us' and not on 'me'," he said.

The concept would encourage everyone to be heard and would welcome anyone sincerely investing themselves into restoring the party's integrity, Despotovski said, announcing his candidacy for SDSM president. mr/