SDSM should intensively implement the European agenda, but we can not expect that the EU or anyone else will solve our problems. Priority must be domestic policy, raising the living standards of citizens, strengthening the economy.
This was stated in an interview with MIA by Dimitar Kovacevski, current Deputy Minister of Finance and member of the Executive Board of SDSM, who said yesterday he would run for party leader, after the Social Democrats on Friday confirmed the resignation of party President Zoran Zaev and announced intra-party elections by direct vote to be held on 12 December.
On the accusations of the opposition that he is a “tong” in the hands of Zaev, Kovacevski says that he is nobody’s man, but, as he stated, “a man with integrity and great professional experience appropriate for the position of president of SDSM” and that as a longtime member of SDSM expects the support of many party members, current and past officials. Kovacevski adds that SDSM has always been and must remain a party that unites.
– In this process it is very important to strengthen the unity and to motivate each member to join the changes. I believe that with a new strategy and reorganization of the party we will quickly regain and increase support. I am free from intra-party divisions and games that I find very unproductive. “I believe that we can return the support in the next elections, but only if the citizens and the members of SDSM see the necessary change in the party and the way of governing in the Government and in the party itself,” he said in an interview with MIA.
Mr. Kovacevski, you have officially confirmed that you will run in the intra-party elections in SDSM for president of the party. Do you expect other candidates and what are your next steps, will you campaign until the elections?
Yes, I will run and I am ready to take responsibility. But SDSM is a big party and there are many capable people in it who can be candidates for president of the party. Regardless of whether and how many other candidates there will be, I expect a dignified political debate and the election of a new leadership that will mean new energy for the party, but also for the country.
In this process it is very important to strengthen the unity and to motivate each member to join the changes. I believe that with a new strategy and reorganization of the party we will quickly regain and increase support. I am free from intra-party divisions and games that I find very unproductive. That is why I will unite in my communication instead of sharing, and the intra-party debate on my part will be extremely constructive.
In the party now more than ever we all need each other. We will need to learn to criticize weaknesses and learn from them in order to change things for the better. But also to respect ourselves for what we have done and not to forget.
All current and past officials in a certain period have contributed and worked in the interest of the citizens and they must all be respected by the new leadership. I have been a member of SDSM since 1994 and in the past almost 30 years I have had the opportunity to cooperate with all past leaderships. The future president of SDSM must have a plan how to include them and secure their support. The elections themselves must be conducted efficiently and democratically, and then we must focus on solving the problems of interest to the citizens. The citizens expect that from us as a party, and not to engage in endless debates and I will not allow that. Citizens are looking for solutions and work.
One gets the impression that Prime Minister Zaev is promoting you, and VMRO-DPMNE accuses that you would be just his “tongs” in his hands. How do you respond to these comments?
President Zoran Zaev has achieved remarkable results in his term. Thanks to his policy of openness and courage to solve the most difficult problems, today we are a safe and stable NATO member state and one step closer to negotiations with the EU.
But I am not anyone’s man, but a man with integrity and great professional experience appropriate for the position of president of SDSM. As a longtime member of SDSM, I expect support from many party members, current and past officials with whom I successfully cooperate. As for my professional career, I am proud of everything I have achieved in the private sector working in senior management positions in international companies, my academic career as a professor, but also as an entrepreneur in my own company. Therefore, I am not at all worried about such comments because if I become president I will very quickly deny these labels with work and results. My focus is on that – to bring quality changes that citizens and our members expect, but will recognize very quickly.
SDSM historically fell the lowest in these elections, winning 230.000 votes. How do you plan to restore support, do you know why this happened and what changes need to be made?
SDSM in these elections was in some way punished by its voters who decided to stay at home or vote for smaller parties and independent lists. It is good for the citizens to send a message when they are not satisfied because it makes us politicians change our policies. I believe that we can return the support in the next elections, but only if the citizens and the members of SDSM see the necessary change in the party and the way of governing in the Government and in the party itself.
First, I think that greater efficiency is needed in governing and fulfilling the promises, but also greater focus on the real needs of the citizens. The SDSM government bravely committed itself to solving the historical problems with the neighbors and opened the European path that takes a lot of energy and time. However, this left gaps in real politics as well as the realization of promises and projects. We must promote this through a greater focus on key issues at home, good management by professionals in all positions and responsibility of each official for his work.
Furthermore, I believe that SDSM must improve communication with membership. We can not look for people only before the elections or when the party needs something, but we should constantly include them and let their voice be heard. And it is not enough just to be heard but also to see that what they are looking for and ordering is being implemented.
SDSM must continue the excellent social policies, raising the minimum and average wage. But we need to talk even more about solutions to the problems that citizens talk about with family, friends and that make their daily lives more difficult. The ruling party should be in constant contact with the real problems and have answers to them.
Furthermore, responsible governance and an unequivocal fight against crime and corruption are needed. Successful judicial reforms and good laws are not enough. Citizens want to see that all of us as politicians set a personal example and put it into practice. Greater consistency is needed between what we say and what we do and only then will we regain confidence.
SDSM has always been and must remain a unifying party. In the local elections, we allowed the coalition potential of the party to decrease, but there were also internal disagreements that resulted in divisions in the elections. My main goal will be to unite the party and overcome the differences.
What is your position on the European agenda of the country and the challenges that lie ahead in this field. What should be the policy of SDSM internationally, what if we do not get a date in December?
SDSM should intensively implement the European agenda. This is a path we have bravely taken and we must reach it. We are a sovereign state, which thanks to SDSM is a member of NATO, a safe and stable state and thus we are responsible to solve the problems at home. We can not expect the EU or anyone else to solve our problems. The priority must be the domestic policy, raising the living standard of the citizens, strengthening the economy and you will hear much more from me on these topics. I am a person who strongly believes in the capacity of our citizens. Mercedes parts are produced in this country, our top experts work in international companies according to world standards, here at home. So, we have the knowledge and people to do much more for ourselves as we wisely and strategically improve our positions and break through internationally. The citizens must restore the belief that we as a state can and can. Only in this way will we be able to fight for good positions with dignity and internationally.
Let’s go back to party changes. Will there be personnel changes in the party?
In my opinion, SDSM has the best personnel potential in the country. And at the moment we have great lawyers, engineers, economists and a lot of young educated people. But new faces are always needed and attracting the best of all professions and fields. We need to find a way to motivate them to get involved in political life and restore their trust to work and help the state.
You see how it happened in Bulgaria for two Harvard graduates to win the sympathy of the voters and win in just two months since the formation of the party. We must learn to respect that and to attract. These people carry with them a different mentality, other work habits and are free from prejudice. The parties are a complex organism, in which there is work for everyone and each of them to get the deserved attention and respect.
Prime Minister Zaev said that the president of SDSM will also be prime minister, if you are a future president, are you ready for the position of prime minister? What can the citizens expect and what changes does the Government need for better functioning?
It is really early to talk about that, we are facing direct elections in the party and I am focused on them and the program with which I want to perform before the membership. As for the Government, whether I will be the Prime Minister or someone else, changes are certainly needed. The government must work effectively on faster implementation of all projects and capital investments. The new government must put together a good team of professionals who will deal with the challenges of the energy crisis, economic policies, and of course European integration. Stronger governance and greater accountability are needed at all levels, from ministers down. I hope that in the new government there will be room for more experts and experts in the Prime Minister’s advisory team because human potential is key to good management. Citizens demand responsibility, realization of the promise and focus on the priorities and problems that affect them, namely a better life and more income.
Finally, who is Dimitar Kovacevski privately?
I am a privately married and proud father of two children. I try to spend every free moment with my family, but also to find time for sports activities because I have been very active since I was young. Citizens can often see me on the quay where I run regularly.
Source: Sloboden Pecat
