VMRO-DPMNE accuses Zoran Zaev and Venko Filipce of ties to Serbian SNS

The VMRO-DPMNE political party has issued a statement accusing former Macedonian leaders Zoran Zaev and Venko Filipce of collaborating with individuals linked to Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).

Party spokesperson Valentin Manasievski claimed that Zaev and Filipce integrated advisors from the SNS into the Macedonian government. Specifically, the party cited Aleksandar Obradović, a former director at the Serbian Electric Power Industry, and Zoran Bašanović, described as a close associate of Vučić, as key figures. Manasievski alleged that Bašanović currently serves as the PR chief for the SDS party and was involved in energy sector deals and the negotiations regarding the name change of Macedonia.

The opposition also raised questions regarding potential corruption, suggesting that companies linked to these individuals, such as Zobek Mining Group, may have received lucrative contracts with ESM. They further alleged that Obradović held a leadership role in a subsidiary of ESM in 2021.