Bitola, 27 September 2021 (MIA) – The difference between SDSM and VMRO-DPMNE is huge and that’s why we will win the local elections, SDSM leader and Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said at Monday’s rally, the first one as part of the election campaign, in Bitola. Presenting SDSM’s candidates for mayors, Zaev said they are the best candidates for every municipality. “For four years we have been laying down standards for responsible and transparent governance. We’ve been developing the country at an international level, we have been developing the municipalities at home. We improved quality of life. We put the country on the right track and we are finally moving forward,” Zaev said. He once again reiterated that local authorities have the government’s support. “For challenges at central level, we found solutions to key issues, which has opened room to be more committed to local challenges… With SDSM ruling at local level, the municipalities will continue to develop and function responsibly and transparently in the interest of the citizens,” Zaev said. The SDSM leader at the Bitola rally highlighted SDSM’s advantage over VMRO-DPMNE in opinion polls. “With VMRO-DPMNE at the helm, there will be again quarrels at home, quarrels with the neighbors, retrograde processes and disappointment. No one wants that, which is why there’s vast difference between SDSM and VMRO-DPMNE,” Zaev said insisting SDSM has introduced transparency and accountability at the highest level. He urged SDSM voters and supporters to vote for the party’s candidate for mayor of Bitola, Hristo Kondovski. Speaking at the rally, Kondovski said he envisions Bitola as “a developed and prosperous municipality, a city full of life, urban, economically developed and with new infrastructure.” He said he has the best program yet in local elections, based on the real needs of the citizens from the city and the rural areas in the vicinity. “We will release the entire municipal potential by developing a new general urban plan as a condition for economic development and prosperity of Bitola,” Kondovski said announcing underground network and underground car park, modernization of the city’s entries, renewal of the local industrial traffic network, etc. The mayoral candidate vowed he will make Bitola a green city with more greenery by 30 percent. His eco-program also includes energy efficiency projects, such as subsidies for energy efficient facades, gasification and installation of heating system.