Strumica, 5 October 2025 (MIA) - SDSM neither denied nor confirmed them having ties with and money from Bulgaria, VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski said Sunday speaking at a local election campaign rally in Strumica, VMRO-DPMNE said in a press release.

"They are in no condition to say otherwise because we know the truth... I have a message to all of them: the fact that 1,3 years have passed and you are still not brought to justice, the fact that for 1,3 years I've been spending every hour of every day to rebuild the foundations you ruined, doesn't mean I forgot that you still haven't been brough to justice," said Mickoski.

He responded to SDSM's accusations of him protecting oligarpch. "I've spent all of my life to books. I entered politics with honorable intentions and my financial situation has remained the same," Mickoski said accusing Filipche of making a fortune during his term as minister.

"Strumica have been waiting for changes for 20 years and now, they are happening. Seeing you all in great numbers, I know we will win. And we'll win because Strumica is liberating itself from the chains of a family that dominated the city. While they became millioners, the people remained poor," Mickoski told the rally in Strumica.

"It's time for a political turnover and change in Strumica that will restore the citizens' trust and the citizens of Strumica are prepared for a new political leaf in the city," Petar Jankov, VMRO-DPMNE's candidate for Strumica mayor, said speaking at a rally, the ruling party said in a press release. 

Focusing on the projects included in the election program, he said the main focus is on infrastructure, healthcare, fight against air pollution, parks and digitization of the services of the municipal council.