Prilep, 4 April 2024 (MIA) – This is the only right path if we want a decent, and I would say a boring European democracy. For our better future, I expect a massive turnout on April 24, since that result will determine the winner on May 8 as well, presidential candidate Stevo Pendarovski said at a rally in Prilep on Thursday evening.

In his first term, which, he said, “was during fairly difficult years with the pandemic and the unfavorable international context, despite all of these circumstances the country managed to become a NATO member.”

The country’s NATO accession, according to Pendarovski “is equal to the 1991 independence referendum,” since no one can “play games with our integrity and sovereignty anymore”.

According to the presidential candidate, if the country doesn’t become a member of the European Union soon, it will be unable to stop people from leaving the country.

“That’s why it is imperative that we join the EU in a dignified way. There is no need for who we are and what we are to be taken from us, our language and identity are guaranteed… The option that I represent and live for cannot take us back to the mud of the Balkans again, but to a prosperous European environment. That’s why you should circle number one, Macedonia mustn’t go back, it should only move forward,” Pendarovski said.

According to him, these won’t be historic elections since “since everything is clear with a black and white offer”, but, he said, “there is a danger from the main opposition party which proposes that we go back.”

“They don’t like a single agreement. After 23 years, they even want to change the [Ohrid] Framework Agreement. They want to annul the Prespa Agreement since they have an issue with the name North Macedonia. Of course, their officials have no issue with it when they get paid and serve terms under that name,” Pendarovski said at his rally in Prilep.

Earlier on Thursday, Pendarovski officially launched his campaign activities by meeting with the citizens of Krushevo and Krivogashtani.

Photo: MIA