Macedonia Opposition Asks Gruevski to Step Down

Branko Crvenkovski of the Social Democrats | Photo by: SDSM

The request came late on Sunday directly from the head of the opposition Social Democrats, Branko Crvenkovski.

Addressing the crowd gathered at a major party rally in front of the government building, Crvenkovski asked Gruevski to announce that he will not be the future Prime Minister should his party, the ruling VMRO DPMNE, win the poll.

“Do the same thing that I did: give up the power and the office. Let us together rid Macedonia of Crvenkovski and Gruevski,” the head of the Social Democrats said, arguing that it is time for fresh politicians to enter the scene.

The opposition recently promoted party veteran Radmila Shekerinska as their Prime Minister-in-waiting, while keeping Crvenkovski at the party helm.

Crvenkovski also challenged Gruevski to a televised debate. Gruevski has generally avoided direct confrontation with high-ranking opposition members since he came to power in 2006.

The opposition held its Sunday rally just one day before the official start of the election campaign, in protest over what they say is government pressure on public sector workers to cast their vote for the ruling party.

Journalists from A1 TV, a station seen as criticial of the government, recently published audio recordings they they say show that Gruevski's VMRO DPMNE forced government workers to provide lists of voters that they could guarantee would vote for the ruling party.

The VMRO DPMNE has denied the claims.

Shekerinska, who also addressed the crowd on Sunday, promised that she will boost social walfare, introduce more real investments in infrastructure and agriculture and work harder to overcome the name dispute with Greece, which prevents the country from joining NATO and moving forward in its EU bid.

"We take responsibility for making Macedonia a country where we can breathe freely and speak freely, a country that will not be afraid to say- Europe here and now," she said.

The opposition said that between 60,000 and 70,000 people came to the rally, but some media reported that the figure was closer to 40,000.