Ivanovski accuses Filipče of creating a faction within SDSM: The vast majority of members are with us

Igor Ivanovski, a former deputy leader of SDSM and one of the leaders of the “Conversation for the Future at 12:05” platform, responded to accusations by the party leadership. He said that current leader Venko Filipče and the group around him had, through their conduct, become a faction within SDSM.

In a statement to the media, Ivanovski said they would present Filipče with a plan for consolidation and structural changes. He claimed the plan had been discussed several times within the party and urged the leader to accept the changes for the good of SDSM.

Ivanovski said Filipče was facing difficulties that would only increase, but that this should not place an additional burden on the party. The leader still had an opportunity to help open up SDSM, which Ivanovski described as currently closed off, and reconnect it with its membership. He claimed that the vast majority of members were on the platform’s side.

He also commented on the presence at the platform’s forum of Amar Mecinoviq, an MP and spokesperson for Levica. Ivanovski interpreted his participation as a sign that the circle of political and social actors opposing SDSM’s current direction was expanding.

Earlier, SDSM accused platform members of receiving media support from outlets and journalists close to Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski. Filipče, meanwhile, claimed that their activities were aimed at taking control of the party.

The “Conversation for the Future at 12:05” platform has since held its second forum, titled “35 Years Later…”, dedicated to the 35th anniversary of the founding of independent and sovereign Macedonia.

According to the platform’s statement, participants discussed political, economic and social issues and reached several conclusions. They proposed changing the electoral system, first by establishing a single electoral district and then introducing open lists, as well as creating a tax system that, they said, would enable greater redistribution of wealth.

The platform described the prolonged transition, youth emigration, demographic ageing, and economic and political divisions as serious challenges for the country.

Its conclusions also criticized the current government led by VMRO-DPMNE, particularly over its fight against corruption, judicial reforms, the functioning of institutions and the fulfillment of election promises. These remain the platform’s assessments, rather than independently verified facts.

Changing the electoral system and drafting a “New Social Contract” were cited by the platform as key political goals and as a foundation for a broader opposition movement.