Ohrid, 16 March 2024 (MIA) — SDSM is the option bringing hope, raising paychecks, pensions, living standards, and leading to a secure European future, the party's leader and former prime minister Dimitar Kovachevski said Friday evening at the opening of SDSM's campaign headquarters in Ohrid.

"Why do I believe SDSM will form the new government? Because the citizens know full well that with SDSM there is no giving up, no turning back; SDSM is the best option for the country's future. An option that brings hope, an option that provides higher paychecks and pensions, a better and more dignified life for all. An option that is confidently, strongly and decisively walking the road to the European Union," Kovachevski said.

"SDSM is synonymous with progress and prosperity; VMRO-DPMNE is synonymous with hopelessness and staying stuck," he said.

In the upcoming elections, Kovachevski said, voters would choose whether North Macedonia becomes an EU member and strengthens the benefits of NATO membership. The alternative, he said, would be for the country to be stuck indefinitely in difficult uncertainties, isolation, and divisions jeopardizing the country's future and progress.

"But the people don't want a standstill," the SDSM leader said. "They don't want to be stuck and humiliated again. They remember the VMRO-DPMNE rule under the leadership of Nikola Gruevski, Hristijan Mickoski's mentor."

"That's why we will win. The fight for a European Macedonian future continues," Kovachevski said.

He added that he expected all SDSM campaign headquarters nationwide to celebrate the party's victory in the May 8 parliamentary election. "A new great victory for the brighter future of Macedonia," he said.

According to Kovachevski, VMRO-DPMNE had no plan for Europe or the future, and could not bring about any substantial change. He pointed to the VMRO-DPMNE-backed Skopje mayor and their other mayors in the rest of the country as examples of unfulfilled promises.

"We in the SDSM have a clear vision for the country's European future," he said. "Anyone promising anything else should come out and say what it is.

"What is their alternative vision for Macedonia? How will they make it happen? They don't have it. That's why they are not talking about it. DPMNE has no plan for Europe, no plan for the future." mr/

Фото/видео: СДСМ