Skopje, 24 January 2026 (MIA) – The Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM) is holding its 31st congress Saturday at the Aleksandar Palace Hotel.

The party said the congress will include an open and a working session.

The congress will begin with an open session, followed by a speech from SDSM president Venko Filipche, which the media will be able to fully cover. This will be followed by the working session of the congress.

SDSM leader Venko Filipche told journalists Thursday he has no intention of stepping down from his post because, he said, his main goal is to continue to fighting for society’s recovery, the eradication of corruption, and the return of the country to the European path.

At a press conference, Filipche said the criticism of his leadership by former SDSM officials is coming from “individuals who have been blackmailed or bought,” adding that “SDSM’s real members and supporters recognize these attempts to weaken the opposition.” 

“I believe in what I am doing. I am a person who works precisely and I carefully calculated before accepting this position. I want this society to recover, to be free of corruption, for the reforms to be implemented and for us to join the European Union. That is my strategic goal,” Filipche said.

The opposition leader said SDSM remains a fully united party, with “a synchronized and compact” parliamentary group, and that a process of internal consolidation in the party’s municipal organizations is underway.

Meanwhile, former Skopje Mayor Petre Shilegov demanded that Filipche step down, and former TIDZ Director Jovan Despotovski openly criticized the party leadership, saying it is solely responsible for the discontent among SDSM members.

SDSM Vice President Jovana Trenchevska, in an interview on MRT 1 on January 19, said she expects majority of delegates to attend the Congress.

“I believe we will have a successful party congress, with the majority of delegates attending,” said Vice President and MP of the opposition SDSM, Jovanka Trenchevska, when asked to comment on information circulating in certain circles that the party leadership is facing a challenge in ensuring the success of the congress, as there are groups within the party working to discourage some delegates so that the congress would fail.

SDSM is holding a congress, where the outcome of local elections is also expected to be discussed. Last December, all party leaders resigned except President Venko Filipche, at his request. Deputy President Fani Karanfilova-Panovska also stepped down.

Photo: MIA