Skopje, 8 May 2024 (MIA) -  SDSM leader and former prime minister Dimitar Kovachevski cast his vote on Wednesday, pointing out he expects democratic elections in which citizens freely vote and decide the country's future.  

"Today, I expect free and democratic elections, as in the first round of the presidential elections. I expect citizens to come out en masse and freely cast their vote. Today they are making a decision for the country, their vote will determine the future in the next decade. Over the past 40 days, we presented our Program for European Future and all the benefits for the country as EU member by 2030. However, the citizens have the final say on the direction in which the country will move - whether it will join the EU by 2030 with President Pendarovski, the 'Coalition for European Future' and SDSM, or will we be going back to a time bygone that we were seeing for a whole decade. I expect the citizens to cast their vote freely, as befits a NATO member country and a country that has opened negotiations with the EU. I expect the citizens to make a decision to ensure a secure, prosperous future and a standard of living that befits Macedonian citizens and the country," Kovachevski said after voting.

He reiterated that North Macedonia has no other alternative than joining the EU. He gave a positive reply in response to a reporter's question on whether he would vote for the constitutional amendments if in opposition. 

"You can ask anyone that question, but when you ask me, I think you already know the answer. I have submitted those constitutional amendments, those constitutional amendments bear my signature and I called on all politicians in the Parliament to vote for them because that is the decision that should be made in order to open all the chapters for EU accession. So, I will of course vote for what I have submitted to the Parliament, and you will have to ask the others whether they will do the same," said Kovachevski.

Photo: MIA