Skopje, 2 May 2024 (MIA) – The presidential candidates sparred on social media over a debate on the Macedonian Television (MTV). VMRO-DPMNE candidate Gordana Siljanovska Davkova said she will be debating with an empty chair in the third presidential debate on MTV, to which her opponent Stevo Pendarovski responded that the date for the debate on MTV has never been agreed. 

Siljanovska Davkova posted a photo of herself in the MTV studio, as an announcement for what she said was the "third presidential debate", after which Pendarovski replied in a Facebook post that "Gordana Siljanovska Davkova realized that the only way she can come out as winner in those public confrontations is to organize a conversation with an "empty chair"...".

"After the public humiliation in the three previous TV debates, Gordana Siljanovska Davkova realized that the only way she can come out as winner in those public confrontations is to organize a conversation with an "empty chair" in agreement with the public broadcasting service whose director general has been engaged in VMRO-DPMNE's party campaign for months. The date for the debate on MTV was never agreed upon between the two candidates. The debate on Monday, May 6, on Kanal 5 television, is the last one confirmed by both sides," Pendarovski said on Facebook. 

Previously, Davkova posted on the X platform that she would be debating on MTV with an empty chair. 

"It is amazing how in the most important presidential debate on the national broadcasting service, the Macedonian Television, I will be debating with an empty chair. I don't understand why my opponent (@SPendarovski) made it impossible for the citizens to face our programs and views again," said Davkova. 

Photo: MIA archive/Facebook