Expecting regular and democratic elections, not ruling out foreign interference through disinformation and hybrid activities, Kovachevski tells MIA

Skopje, 17 February 2024 (MIA) – SDSM leader Dimitar Kovachevski, in an interview for MIA, says that he expects regular and democratic elections from an institutional aspect, but does not exclude the possibility of foreign interference through disinformation and hybrid activities.

“Regarding the organization of elections from an institutional aspect, yes, I expect regular and democratic elections. The State Election Commission, along with all other institutions equipped with the capacity, now expanded to include opposition representatives, as per our law for a caretaker government to conduct the elections, will ensure this,” Kovachevski said.

When asked by MIA to comment on the statement made by the Deputy Secretary-General of NATO regarding the country facing a danger of disinformation and hybrid activities ahead of the elections, he affirms that it is accurate.

“The statements made by high-ranking NATO officials regarding foreign interference through disinformation and hybrid activities... they are accurate, over an extended period of time. I have spoken about this in several public appearances, that third countries want to influence the electoral processes in North Macedonia, and not only in North Macedonia but also in Montenegro. Because these are two countries that became NATO member states, and some considered them to be countries with open issues. And we still have political parties that believe we should have unresolved issues with our neighboring countries, Bulgaria and Greece, because those parties are funded by states that desire such outcomes. Some of them don't hide it so skillfully, as the funding is channeled through third countries,” Kovachevski said.

He said that as a former Prime Minister and as a holder of the highest level of NATO security clearance, he had access to a lot of information, and the most important aspect is the initiation of the process to identify individuals, groups, and institutions disseminating such false information.

“I consider it beneficial that during my government's tenure, we signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the United States in the fight against disinformation and fake news. This means that through cooperation with the USA, we will be able to work on identifying the sources, methods of transmission, and individuals, groups, and institutions disseminating this false information and hybrid influences in our country. It will be a lengthy process. However, it's good that we've initiated the process, and it's good that institutions are already working on it. I would send a message to citizens that they are the first filter of false information, foreign influences, and any other influences that do not serve the good of the country. They should pay attention to the sources of their information and the credibility of the information, as in our country, we have regulated media according to media laws, which are part of media professional associations. However, there are also other portals, individuals on social media spreading fake news,” Kovachevski told MIA.

Regarding the preparations for the upcoming elections in terms of campaign, organization, and program, he says that over the past months, the 18 commissions of SDSM have been equipped with around 200 experts, not all of whom are party members. However, they share the same values with us and are working on the new electoral program for the elections from 2024 to 2028.

The program will include concrete measures, as it did in 2020, and will primarily prioritize the economic prosperity of citizens, advancing social processes, and, of course, continuing and completing the process of European integration.

He further states that while the VMRO-DPMNE government had 16 megawatts of installed renewable energy sources by 2016, his administration witnessed the installation of hundreds of megawatts in just two years.

"That exceeds the capacity of REK Bitola; 170,000 households could be supplied with electricity. Thanks to this, we now have a lower electricity tariff during daytime hours, enabling citizens to save up to Mden 1,000 on electricity per month," Kovachevski said.

He emphasized that the program will also entail specific activities for full integration into the EU, a program, he says, that will ensure equality of citizens, where society will be equal for all to utilize their personal and professional capacities and to advance in their personal and professional careers.

"There will be solutions concerning reforms in public administration, as I believe it's time for a thorough professionalization of the public sector. I consider the era of intermediaries, when ethnic background equated to profession, to be over, as citizens now expect top-tier services. We're living in an era where new generations demand swift and immediate resolution to their issues, and the services they seek from governmental institutions," Kovachevski tells MIA.

Kovachevski, when asked about the possibility of joint lists in the parliamentary elections, said that they will have lists with their coalition partners. However, these lists will also be open for other parties to join if they share the same values as SDSM, he added.

"The other political parties you refer to, regarding joining the joint lists, may indeed be included in the joint lists. Alternatively, they may run independently in the elections, as they have previously been in coalitions with parties that haven't taken a single step towards the country's European integration. Let's not forget, we are currently in a government coalition that cares about continuing the country's European path, advancing processes. However, let's not forget that in that coalition there are political parties that have been in coalition with VMRO-DPMNE for a whole decade when we were characterized as a captured state. Therefore, the decision always lies with the political parties on which coalitions to enter and whether to run independently in the elections," Kovachevski said.

In relation to the accusations from VMRO-DPMNE that the government has yielded to DUI and whether this will benefit the party in the elections, Kovachevski said that this is not accurate. He stated that VMRO-DPMNE wants to portray all Albanians as being represented by DUI.

"We also discussed with the leader of SDSM about the visit of Albin Kurti to Skopje, and whether there were allegations that he was interfering in the internal affairs of the country. Kovachevski said that Kurti was in Skopje at the invitation of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, for a meeting of socialists from the region, together with the president of the German SPD, where they discussed that the future of the region lies in the EU.

Kovachevski, when asked about what he considers a success and what a failure during his tenure as prime minister, said that the government worked during the biggest energy crisis in Europe in those two years, followed by the effects of the war in Ukraine, after which, he said there was enormous inflation in Europe.

"In 2018, the minimum wage was Mden 8,000; now it stands at Mden 22,000. Additionally, the average wage hasn't just increased by the projected €500 outlined in the Government and SDSM Program, but by €630. The unemployment rate, previously at 24 percent, has now dropped to 12.8 percent. Foreign direct investments, which stood at €356 million annually in 2016 during the crisis, have surged to €735 million. Despite predictions of an energy system collapse, we ensured electricity supply, with 90 percent of it subsidized by the state. Without this subsidy and increased electricity production, citizens would have faced bills 90 percent higher," Kovachevski underlined.

"For the first time, all farmers in the country received 30 percent of the subsidy in advance at the end of last year. The green oil they receive per hectare has been increased by 100 percent. It now stands at Mden 9,600 per hectare for cultivation. This means they already receive oil from the state. And now, the subsidies are going to real farmers. In the past, they were received by state officials, employees of the Ministry of Interior, and government employees. With the reforms made in accordance with European standards, we now have subsidies paid in advance, with historically the highest amounts for real farmers," Kovachevski stated.

Below is the video footage of the entire interview: