Skopje, 21 March 2024 (MIA) — President Stevo Pendarovski, who is running for a second term in office in the April 24 presidential election, has invited his six opponents to two leaders' debates, one at the beginning and one at the end of the election campaign, which starts on April 4th.

According to Pendarovski's campaign headquarters, invitations have been extended to the other presidential candidates but they are yet to respond.

The leaders' debates are planned to be "held on neutral ground," Pendarovski's team said, pointing out that each candidate would take part in organizing them, share the expenses of holding them, and mutually agree on the moderator.

In addition, each candidate is encouraged to bring their own audience. The media will be invited and given the chance to ask questions. The debates are planned to take 180 minutes.

Pendarovski's team said they were expecting the other presidential candidates' responses by Wednesday.

Unless all seven presidential candidates agree to take part, however, the debates will not be held.

The leaders' debates aim to give the candidates an opportunity to expose their political platforms ahead of the upcoming election to potential voters.

Pendarovski will promote his presidential campaign platform at a convention on April 3. According to his team, he will lead a positive, European and civil campaign.

His campaign will include numerous rallies and meetings with members of the public. Events will be bilingual – in Macedonian and Albanian – and translated into sign language.

During the campaign, Pendarovski will also host an Iftar and Easter dinner, to which all presidential candidates will be invited. mr/