Skopje, 15 April 2024 (MIA) — If Mr. Hristijan Mickoski claims there were secret meetings, it would be nice if he presented one piece of evidence for any such thing happening instead of just repeating hearsay," President Stevo Pendarovski who is running for his second term commented on allegations by VMRO-DPMNE's leader about secret negotiations on pardoning politicians.

In response to a citizen's question at an election rally in Gazi Baba on Monday evening, Pendarovski said he had no secret meetings and encouraged Mickoski to back his claims with evidence.

"I stand firm that no such thing exists," Pendarovski said. "I can also ask him if he is interested in who all has wanted to meet with me – give him the dates, first and last names. Because they are his closest collaborators in the VMRO-DPMNE executive committee. I can also say what they asked of me."

He said some of those people were now running for Members of Parliament.

"Two and a half years ago, his closest collaborators asked me to meet with them," Pendarovski said, adding that he had met with them. "I will tell him exactly what we discussed," he said. mr/