SDSM rejects apology demand from ATS Group over lobbying allegations

The SDSM political party has rejected a demand for a public apology and retraction from ATS Group and its owner, Shefset Demirovski. The legal notice, delivered by attorney Bozhidar Miloshevski, threatened a lawsuit following allegations made by SDSM regarding the company’s lobbying activities.

SDSM maintains that its claims are based on factual data from the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) registry. The party alleges that the American lobbying firm Mercury pays ATS Group approximately $130,000 per month, totaling roughly $1.56 million annually. They also cited reports regarding a presentation titled ‘Strategic Partnership USA–North Macedonia’ which reportedly mentioned a ‘government-to-government package’ and Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski.

Furthermore, SDSM referenced investigative reports concerning Demirovski’s 2019 arrest in Belgrade related to bribery suspicions involving ammunition data, noting the case concluded in 2022 following a payment. Rather than apologizing, SDSM announced intentions to contact FARA and members of the U.S. Congress to inquire whether the reported lobbying activities were properly disclosed.