On a May 9 episode of the Politicoes podcast, hosted by journalists Borjan Jovanovski and Saso Ordanoski, asked about the Dubai golden visa issue, SDSM leader and ex-Health Minister Venko Filipce said that he had a visa, but that it wasn’t related to real estate or ‘millions’ on accounts there.
“Before I ran for SDSM leader and previously for MP, I had been negotiating with a hospital in Dubai on a job there. However, since I became party leader, those negotiations have remained on standby. That’s the reason why I have a visa for Dubai”, he stressed.
Asked why he hadn’t revealed that sooner, the SDSM leader stated that he believed everyone should try to change the level of political discussion, debate, and culture.
On 25 April, Filipce had said for Telma, “I don’t have a visa that is related to investments. I don’t have a visa that is related to real estate. I don’t have thousands of euros. I don’t have accounts. I don’t have a visa that is related to millions, planes, lorries. I simply only have a visa that enables me to travel”.
VMRO-DPMNE has reacted to Filipce’s comments on the podcast’s episode.
“Citizens have a right to ask how one gets a golden visa for negotiations. Why was he hiding the visa? Why is there no proof of the existence of any private hospital related to him? In which capacity did he negotiate, in the capacity of Minister, MP, party official or private businessperson? If the visa is not related to investments, what it is related to? And what exactly has been put on standby, some hospital or someone’s conscience? This is yet another proof that the leadership of SDS[M] lies to citizens to cover up businesses and run away from accountability.
While Filipce was “negotiating” in Dubai, Macedonia was sinking in health chaos, while the people were fighting with face masks, fear, and a lack of medications. It’s time for SDS[M] and its fake reformers to be held to account before the law and before the people. Macedonia has been held hostage by its manipulations and under-the-table deals for too long”, the ruling party noted.