VMRO-DPMNE has called on SDSM leader Venko Filipche to publicly release the results regarding party ratings polls which, according to the ruling party, he promised to present two weeks ago. VMRO-DPMNE is asking why the results have not yet been published, and whether the surveys Filipche referred to even exist.
At a press conference Saturday, VMRO-DPMNE spokesperson Valentin Manasievski said that, prior to the snap local elections in Brvenica, Filipche had announced the existence of polls showing increased support for SDSM and dissatisfaction with VMRO-DPMNE.
“Two weeks after that statement by Filipche, there is no sign of these polls. Where are these polls of his, in which SDSM supposedly sees a major surge in ratings while VMRO-DPMNE sees a decline? Why won’t he show them to the public? Why is he hiding them? Were these polls concocted inside the SDSM headquarters?” noted Manasievski.
The ruling party representative also addressed the election result in Brvenica, pointing out that VMRO-DPMNE secured four times as much support as SDSM. According to Manasievski, the election result contradicts claims that the opposition party’s standing has improved. He also criticized Filipche’s position within SDSM, noting that he is increasingly facing calls to resign.
The VMRO-DPMNE spokesperson also presented claims regarding the disparity in support between the party leaders, stating that Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski holds a seven-to-one lead over Filipche, while VMRO-DPMNE is ahead of SDSM by a margin of four to one.
Manasievski assesses that SDSM is losing political support and asserted that Filipche opposes early elections due to the potential electoral outcome.