Skopje, 9 December 2025 (MIA) - SDSM leader Venko Filipche announced Tuesday the launching of an online petition in relation to reports in some British media that discussions had taken place with the Macedonian authorities about the country possibly accepting failed British asylum seekers. The opposition leader also spoke about other steps the party would take to prevent the potential entry of migrants into the country, if the petition is not sufficient.

“I urge all citizens to help us preserve our homeland, security, and the future of Macedonia. If the government ignores this step, other stronger steps will follow. Our place is in the European Union, and not on the periphery, as a black spot. A strong mobilization will follow, activity at every level, in every municipality, in every city, in every village. We will not allow migrants to come here at any price, we will not allow the security and future of the country to be endangered in this way. We want development, to be a part of the EU; we do not want to be a Mecca for migrants, for people to come here whom we see how to they behave in other countries and what problems they create – violence, protests, rapes, diseases long eradicated in all countries,” Filipche said.

Filipche said the opposition party spoke about “the danger that awaits us with migrants and secret negotiations” led by VMRO-DPMNE's government.

“When we first mentioned these secret negotiations and talks, which were confirmed by reports in foreign media, the so-called patriots from VMRO-DPMNE immediately jumped against us. They started publishing posts that we are lying, then they came up with a whole campaign against me personally, against other current and former party officials. When that failed, they only intensified that campaign later,” Filipche said.

The opposition leader said it is “impermissible” that the Macedonian citizens learned about this issue through the British media, which, he said, came out with detailed reports about what was discussed regarding the issue of failed British asylum seekers.

“We are learning about the talks that were held about the migrants from these British media reports. That they should be integrated and present in our labor market, especially in construction, and have permanent residencies here. There are even detailed reports that the United Kingdom will pay GBP 20.000 to Macedonia for every deported migrants, in line with the new agreement on so-called return hubs. And imagine, the Macedonian citizens are learning about all of this from foreign media,” Filipche said.

Filipche said European statistics show that poorly implemented policies for the integration of migrants lead to major problems in countries and societies, “resulting in violence, crime, unrest, and fights,” and that even more developed countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, and Sweden have had a hard time dealing with the issue.

At the press conference, Filipche also asked whether “behind the government’s secret agreements lies the aim for migrants to become a new voting machinery for VMRO-DPMNE at the next elections,” and whether this is the price that must be paid to obtain a loan of EUR 6 billion.

Photo: SDSM