SDSM leader Zoran Zaev said late Sunday the decisions of the party’s 26th congress have seen a merger of experience and new energy.

Delegates elected Sanja Lukarevska as the party’s new Deputy President, replacing Radmila Shekerinska in the post, as well as Fatmir Bytyqi, Venko Filipche, Mila Carovska and Oliver Spasovski as Vice-Presidents.

Bojan Marichikj has been elected Secretary for International Cooperation, while Pero Kostadinov as Central Board chairman.

In addition, the Executive Board includes Ana Daneva Markova, Stefan Bogoev, Nina Fiti, Dimitar Kovachevski, Milena Stefanovikj, Kostadin Kostadinov, Andrijana Budimir, Blagoj Bochvarski, Renata Jajoska, Petre Shilegov, Sofija Pejkova, Muhamed Zeqiri, Melisa Cenovska Serafimovska, Nikica Bachoski, Tanja Tomikj, Darko Kaevski, Jovana Trpchovska, Vasko Kovachevski, while Martin Popov is the party’s Organization Secretary.

SDSM has replaced two-thirds of its Central Board members, with gender and age equality given precedence. Members come from different walks of life, professionals in their fields.

“The new Central Board composition is a proof that SDSM continues to change. We are setting new standards in politics. The team that wins does not change but upgrades its winning mentality. This is a merger of experience and new energy, continuity and fresh faces. The Board includes 60 women and 60 men, full gender equality,” Zaev told a press conference after the congress.

He added the goals for the next four years are clear – European future, economic development, successful management of the pandemic, mass immunization, non-selective rule of law and European standards at home.

The SDSM congress took place online due to the coronavirus pandemic.