SDSM Elects New Vice-President and Central Board Members

SDSM organised on Sunday in Skopje a party congress at which the party structures elected new members of the central board, including Fani Karanfilova-Panovska as new vice-president of SDSM.

Party leader Venko Filipce informed that Karanfilova-Panovska worked in many civil organisations, mostly in the Open Society Foundation, and cooperated with many other organisations that share the principles and ideals of SDSM.

He also informed that the party also elected as new central board members young party members, which according to him will provide a fresh youthful energy in the party and visions for success and good achievements. In his main speech at the congress, Filipce said that the latest electoral defeat provided for SDSM a chance for new beginnings.

“I accept most of the criticism and advice I get from people with good intentions, but I shall never accept the desires of those that simply want SDSM gone, who spread defeatism and attempt to paralyse the opposition activism of the party. SDSM shall return stronger than ever, and as a leader, I shall always lend a hand to anyone who really wants to see this party successful.

I think it is time for us to accept that we all have a partial responsibility for the electoral defeat we faced in May 2024. Rushing to integrate the country in NATO and in EU, our governments neglected the efficiency in securing the service functions of the state apparatus. Citizens want a functional state with rule of law, and we all must work on that. My predecessors, Zoran Zaev and Dimitar Kovacevski, sacrificed their political careers so that our country becomes a NATO member and start the negotiations for EU membership, but unfortunately, this dedication was not adequately rewarded.

Still, we all fought for what we believe is right, to put Macedonia on the world map, and we were successful. Now, we must make efforts to be a corrective of the government, and to not allow them to avoid responsibility, like they already attempt with the everyday scandals they face.

North Macedonia doesn’t need such a government that is constantly ‘saving’ the people from non-existing threats, while real problems are just piling up. In the upcoming period, our new vision will focus on the fundamental principles of solidarity, justice and equality, and on returning the social-democratic fundaments as key for changes in our country,” Filipce said.