The former and current SDSM leaders ZoranZaev and VenkoFilipche brought advisors from the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), who were essentially proxies for AleksandarVučić, into their government, said VMRO-DPMNE spokesperson ValentinManasievski, addressing opposition criticisms regarding an alleged connection between the Macedonian ruling party and the Serbian president.
“AleksandarObradović is a Balkan wheeler-dealer who served as an advisor to Zaev. Zaev even intended to appoint him as the director of ELEM, but this was halted due to pressure from VMRO-DPMNE and the citizens. However, in 2021, Obradović became the director of an ELEM subsidiary, a man who had previously been removed from his position as director of the Electric Power Industry of Serbia (EPS) due to his penchant for luxury and hedonism. These are the kinds of figures from the ‘Serbian World’ that Zaev brought into Macedonia,” said Manasievski.
The ruling party representative also pointed out that ZoranBashanović, AleksandarVučić’sgodfather/best man, was given a position within the government by the former SDSM Prime Minister ZoranZaev.
“He is the current PR chief for SDS who, together with MiljanŠćekić, prepares statements and press conferences for Venko and his associates. It is said that Bašanović was the one who brought Zaev and Tsipras together regarding the change of Macedonia’s name. Furthermore, there is talk in the public sphere that he was involved in energy-sector deals, in coordination with ZoranZaev. Did Kolašinac’s company, Zobec Mining Group, secure the most expensive contract with ESM because the firm LignitorichiaAchlada, the concessionaire of the coal mine of the same name, happened to be Greek? ZoranBašanović and ZoranZaev go way back; they have been a solid tandem for quite some time. This is the very same Zobec Mining Group that purchased an Audi car for Filipche. That is precisely why both Filipche and SDS are so bitter, because they are no longer in power and can no longer rig tenders in collusion with Vučić’s associates,” the VMRO-DPMNE spokesperson pointed out.