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SDSM allegations against Mickoski regarding US lobbying

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2026-09-26 11:21 UTC → 2026-09-27 10:04 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM) has leveled allegations against North Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski regarding undisclosed lobbying activities in the United States. Citing the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) register, SDSM spokesperson Bogdanka Kuzeska stated that the Skopje-based ATS Group, owned by Shefset Demirovski, has engaged the American firm Mercury Public Affairs. The agreement reportedly involves annual payments of approximately $1.56 million for activities under the title ‘Strategic Partnership US–North Macedonia’, covering sectors such as energy, defense, and IT. The SDSM alleges that private interests are being used to promote state-level agendas and has raised concerns regarding the management of national mining assets. The party further accused political opponents of orchestrating black campaigns and using foreign firms to manage troll farms to undermine SDSM leadership. Following these allegations, ATS Group and its owner, Shefset Demirovski, issued a legal notice through attorney Bozhidar Miloshevski demanding a public apology and retraction, threatening a lawsuit. SDSM has rejected this demand, maintaining that its claims are based on factual data from the FARA registry. In addition to the lobbying claims, SDSM referenced investigative reports regarding Demirovski’s 2019 arrest in Belgrade involving bribery suspicions, noting the case concluded in 2022 following a payment. Rather than retracting its statements, SDSM announced intentions to contact FARA and members of the U.S. Congress to inquire whether the reported lobbying activities were properly disclosed.

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