SDSM member Rubin Zemon announced Friday that he is withdrawing from his position in the executive committee of the party.
His decision follows the publication of a photograph of him and the controversial Bulgarian activist Viktor Stoyanov, head of the so-called Macedonia Foundation. Zemon claimed that he was not aware who Stoyanov really is, and that he was asked by him to pose for a photo while he was visiting Sofia with his son.
He was previously also target of negative criticism, after making negative statements about revolutionary and historical figure Goce Delchev. SDSM acknowledged his contributions but stressed that unity and respect for historical figures remain essential for credibility.
VMRO-DPMNE on the other hand interpreted the photograph with Stoyanov as proof that SDSM and its leader Venko Filipche are colluding with Bulgarian politicians in attempt to undermine the positions of North Macedonia in the bilateral relations with Bulgaria, and also accused them of working against the identity, language and culture of Macedonians.