Skopje, 26 April 2024 (MIA) - SDSM is the only political party possessing the power, knowledge, persistence, and dedication required to lead Macedonia into the EU, SDSM leader Dimitar Kovachevski said during the rally of the SDSM-led Coalition for European Future in Centar municipality on Friday evening.

Kovachevski said that SDSM is a strong party and does not back down from the fight.

“Our history, our tradition, and our determination for a better future for Macedonia are the best evidence that we never give up,” he said.

He pointed out that they are aware of the existing dissatisfaction and have received the message from the citizens.

“It is clear to me and my colleagues that the party needs to change in order to regain the trust of the citizens,” he said.

Kovachevski referred to the activities they have implemented aimed at improving the standard of living for citizens and emphasized that with the new program, they will continue to enhance the quality of life for citizens.

“SDSM will never abandon inclusion and the building of a society for all citizens, regardless of their background. That inclusion entails full respect for European values such as solidarity, fairness, honesty, and accountability, and they should apply to everyone, from the first person in the state to ministers, directors, literally everyone,” Kovachevski noted.

According to him, the elections on May 8th will be tough, but he expects to garner support in Centar municipality.

"In SDSM, there is strong unity; we are unified and will continue to fight for what we believe in, which is a progressive and improved Macedonia," he added.

Milena Stevanovikj, SDSM’s MP candidate, spoke at the event about her experiences at the Infectious Diseases Clinic in Skopje.

“We have ensured the development of medicine, provided much better conditions for patients, as well as for doctors and their working conditions. We have significantly raised the standard of the healthcare system. I believe that each of you has the thought that this is not enough, and it is not enough. We still have a lot of work ahead of us and goals to achieve,” she said.

Stevanovikj agreed that SDSM must change and, as she stated, regain the trust of the majority of citizens once again.

“Today, I stand before you once again with a clear vision and a clear goal, to live in my own homeland, Republic of North Macedonia, with standards, a country that deserves to be part of the European family,” she added.

Stevanovikj urged citizens, as she noted, not to give up on their future on May 8.

Monika Zajkova, LDP leader and list co-principal in the first election district, emphasized at the event that changes never occur through nationalist narratives, nor, as she stated, ‘with individuals who suppress our individual freedom.’

She stressed that they are aware that mistakes have been made, adding that anyone who works will inevitably make mistakes.

“We have received the message from the citizens, and we have the motivation and concrete solutions on how to amend them,” she said.

“We cannot expect a statesmanlike vision from people who until today have not provided a single clear stance on where they see the state in the future and what solutions they offer us,” she added.