Zoran Zaev is trying to appoint an heir who will cover up for his crimes and corruption, said VMRO-DPMNE official Dragan Kovacki in the first reaction following Zaev’s resignation. Zaev endorsed little known Deputy Finance Minister Dimitar Kovacevski as the next SDSM leader and will try to have him appointed through an election scheduled in two weeks.

Zaev is leaving but Zaevism remains. SDSM will not elect a leader but a person tasked with protecting Zaev from accountability for his crimes, and extension of Zev who will protect his family businesses. SDSM will not choose a leader, Zaev has already chosen one, and the party members will be asked merely to appoint him. This is a person who will remain silent about the crimes committed by Healthcare Minister Venko Filipce, who will need to continue to protect Dragi Raskovski and Den Doncev, Kovacki said.

He repeated the VMRO-DPMNE demand for early elections that will lead to the creation of a legitimate new Government.