North Macedonia’s Social Democratic Union (SDSM) is attempting to project an image of renewal and internal mobilisation after a sweeping wave of resignations in its executive leadership, even as party leader Venko Filipče refuses to step down and signals only partial restructuring.
At Filipče’s request, the deputy leader, vice-presidents, the secretary-general, organisational secretaries and all members of the Executive Board submitted their resignations to the party’s Central Committee — a move SDSM described as a “responsible and moral step” designed to open the way for new personnel and a fresh organisational structure.
The party said the coming period would bring “staff strengthening, inclusion of new faces and internal mobilisation”, adding that Filipče will present nominations for new leadership positions at an upcoming Central Committee session.
Mixed reactions: calls for renewal but also warnings against cosmetic changes
After heavy losses in recent local elections, including in long-held strongholds, several long-serving party members welcomed the resignations but cautioned that real change will depend on the selection of new leadership.
Kostadin Kostadinov, former mayor of Strumica — who froze his party membership after SDSM lost the municipality for the first time in two decades — said the move clears the way for “the right people” to re-enter the party structure.
“Although some previous decisions were deeply misguided, today’s step is a move forward. It opens space for genuine change,” he wrote.
Other former officials warned that reforms must include an ideological reorientation and a return to core social democratic values, noting that similar promises of “new faces and new energy” were made after past defeats but delivered little.
A chain reaction of resignations
The resignation cascade began when Deputy Chair Ana Čupeska stepped down ahead of the second round of local elections, announcing she would present her analysis of the electoral defeat to the Central Committee.
Shortly afterward, Kostadin Acevski — the party’s mayoral candidate in Gjorče Petrov and head of the local branch — resigned, arguing that “SDSM is too big an idea to remain unrecognisable”. He called on Filipče and the entire leadership to step aside, citing not only poor results but also the way the party operated in recent years.
Filipče holds firm: partial refresh, expanded opposition platform
Filipče, who has repeatedly insisted that election outcomes are a “collective responsibility”, says he will not resign. Instead, he plans what he calls a “partial refresh” of the leadership — not a full overhaul — combined with intensified grassroots activity aimed at recruiting new members and facilitating a generational transition within the party.
He said SDSM will also work to broaden its opposition platform, arguing that the elections showed the need for a wider and stronger front against the ruling party.
“I have already spoken with many people. This is not about a total overhaul, but targeted strengthening of the leadership teams,” he told Telma TV, adding that field teams will engage in “strong and intensive outreach work” in the coming months.
Consolidation will take time
Party members say the consolidation process will be lengthy and hinge on selecting “honest and committed” individuals capable of rebuilding trust among disillusioned supporters and attracting new ones.
They stress that only a credible and competent leadership core can stabilise the party as it seeks to maintain its role as the country’s main opposition force.