Skopje, 25 November 2024 (MIA) - Fani Karanfilovska-Panovska was elected SDSM vice-president at the party's 30th congress over the weekend. Upon her election, she said the post brings enormous responsibility before the party members and citizens, vowing to put her experience, knowledge and skills acquired over the course of her professional career.

"The responsibility is huge because SDSM is facing a challenge of drawing up and, more importantly, going through the trajectory of change and reform, which will ensure the party's further development and define its direction. These are processes that should and must bring the party back to the right track," Karanfilovska-Panovska told delegates.

The newly-elected vice-president said she believes in the professionalism, ambition, commitment and empathy of SDSM leader Venko Filipche.

"I will give him my full support and be a loyal associate in the creation and implementation of SDSM's new policies, which I assure you will be policies of change. I am an ardent supporter of principles, positions and narrative of the progressive civil society, which has in its core the fight for freedom, democracy, human rights, social justice, diversity, equality and integrity, values that I have never and will never compromise on," said Karanfilovska-Panovska.

She noted her conviction that "the only statehood party in Macedonia - SDSM" would regain its status, image, credibility, support and victories.

"I hope my engagement amid this stage of internal change and reform will be of help, especially when it comes to the challenge of restoring the trust by the freedom-loving citizens, the ones who find social-democracy close to their heart but have felt SDSM has failed them. We must bring these people back. Here lies the essence of my instinct to assume this post," said Karanfilovska-Panovska.

SDSM leader Venko Filipche said he has known Karanfilovska-Panovska for a long time, adding she is a firm believer in the social-democratic values.

"She has been active in many civil society organizations, mostly in the Open Society Foundation, and has collaborated with many other entities that share the values upon which our party is founded," said Filipche.

At Sunday's congress, SDSM elected the new Central Board, which will hold its first session during this week and elect the new Executive Board, the vice-presidents and party secretaries.

Photo: SDSM