Skopje, 6 October 2025 (MIA) - Every policy, every measure, every risk and courageous move we have taken was with one goal, to provide better living conditions for us and our children, SDSM leader Venko Filipche told a campaign rally in Skopje ahead of the Oct. 19 local election.

"We have fought and will fight for a home in which everyone has their place, a home in which everyone's work is valued and every drop of sweat will be paid. A home in which every person will live with dignity," Filipche said, adding that the government needed to listen to the citizens and be accountable to them.

Filipche also said democracy, justice and solidarity were sacred to the Social Democrats and extolled the virtues of the party to audience members, adding that taxpayers' money should be invested in them and politicians should work for the people, not against them.

Current Centar Mayor Goran Gerasimovski, running for a second term, listed his achievements in the past four years.

"We have completely renovated all schools. We have already installed photovoltaics in two schools. Our plan is for all schools and kindergartens to have photovoltaics on their roofs. Our students received backpacks and supplies, security and the best education. They received uniforms, and from now on they will also have free healthy meals and national field trips so they love Centar and Macedonia even more. Our students are also getting two indoor swimming pools and new indoor and outdoor sports fields," Gerasimovski said.

He also said he preferred to stay out of political controversy.

"Citizens do not want arguments about who is worse. No. Life does not get better because of such fights. Such politicians do not achieve much," Gerasimovski said. 

"In these four years, I have been guided by basic human values ​​and principles: To work without excuses and not to think about myself. To work honestly. To work responsibly. To be accountable all the time. To work for everyone. To listen to everyone. To unite. To not divide people. To think honestly about everyone. To help everyone. To be accessible to everyone. That is how I started from the very beginning. That is how I have lived and worked every day. I wanted Centar to become a better place to live for everyone, and I am confident that we succeeded," he said. mr/