Skopje, 8 September 2025 (MIA) - Opposition leader Venko Filipche congratulated Monday the country's Independence Day, calling for political and statehood awakening.

"The country belongs to the citizens. It is our home. Our home is our family, but also our neighborhood, our municipality, our community. We must all fight for our home. Macedonia is of those who stayed here and those who left but have not forgotten. We must keep this country because we don't have a spare one. My message for the authorities is the following - this is a country of all and for all, not only yours. I call for political and statehood awakening. Patriotism is to fight for clean air not burn landfills and do nothing about it. Patriotism is to help the weak and poor, not think about yourself and spend state resources at the expense of citizens," says Filipche in the note.

The SDSM leader says the country is not moving in the right direction and is under the threat of abandoning the decades-long dream for integration, while facing mass emigration and economic devaluation.

"The state is not defended solely by the flag and the anthem, but fair institutions and judiciary, equal opportunities for all, because the present threat is not one of weapons but corruption, injustice, discrimination, poverty," notes Filipche.

He adds now is the time for a step forward, to secure a future not dependent on who is in power but by the country we have built.

"Our next goal is European Union membership. This is what all citizens want, because they are aware that stability, rule of law, protection of workers, better standards and economy not depending on politics is the only path forward. We are a step away from Europe, we have to make this step together and united. I believe that at the end of the day, we all want the same - a safe future for the country and our children. This struggle is neither easy not fast, but it is worthwhile. We fought for independence back in 1991, we now have to fight for the future," underlines Filipche.

Photo: SDSM