Mayor of Macedonia’s worst hit city is ostracized by his own SDSM party after criticizing its lack of support in the fight against the virus

Kumanovo Mayor Maksim Dimitrievski appears on the verge of a complete break with his SDSM party. The Mayor of the hardest hit large city in Macedonia has criticized the Government’s response to the coronavirus crisis, and blamed the interim Prime Minister and his local party branch rival Oliver Spasovski, of refusing to send the requested aid and to order a quarantine over Kumanovo. In response, SDSM sent out party spokesman Kostadin Kostadinov to publicly rebuke Dimitrievski.

We distance ourselves from Dimitrievski. Dimitrievski himself should be aware that the laws must apply to all, Kostadinov said. The Government is going after Dimitrievski after its own PR stunt went wrong when top Government officials, including Spasovski, visited Kumanovo two weeks ago to meet with the local crisis center. The next day Dimitrievski was found Covid-19 positive, forcing himself, but also Spasovski, Healthcare Minister Venko Filipce and other top officials to self-isolation. Although all were either negative or recovered with no consequences, it was one the worst blows against a Government during the epidemic anywhere.

Dimitrievski left self-isolation to get tested and finally show he’s negative to the virus, even raising doubts about the veracity of the initial positive test and pointing his finger at Filipce over this, but now faces a fine for leaving his home and criminal charges over the way the meeting with the Government was organized.

Since 1995 I’ve followed the principles of my party, of democracy, equality, accountability and responsibility and I’ve executed the office of Mayor of the largest municipality in our country in the same spirit. I’m deeply disappointed by the statement of the party spokesman, which is rushed and unfortunate. We will conduct our debate inside the party. Now is time to work against the epidemic and help our citizens. The investigation will show that there is no basis for criminal charges against me. I do not understand the organized witch hunt against me these past few days, Dimitrievski said.