VMRO-DPMNE, through spokesperson Valentin Manasievski, opened a new front against SDS - the allegation that leader Venko Filipche and the party maintain direct ties to Bulgarian political structures via Rubin Zemon, a former advisor in Zoran Zaev's government.

"All the cards are on the table, the cooperation of Filipche and SDS with Bulgaria is exposed," Manasievski said. "Rubin Zemon, Zoran Zaev's man and one of Venko Filipche's closest collaborators, is the link between Bulgaria and SDS." According to the allegation, Zemon met with Viktor Stojanov, who runs the Macedonia Foundation - an organization VMRO claims spreads Bulgarian propaganda.

Manasievski also stated that Zemon and Stojanov met informally, and that within SDS itself there is internal conflict over these ties. He claims party members have pressured Filipche to distance himself.

For the Balkan political scene, allegations like these are usually a double-edged sword. On one side - the verifiability of specific meetings and contacts. On the other - a political weapon in the run-up to local elections. VMRO-DPMNE released this with photos and with a screen behind the spokesperson that placed the Macedonia Foundation in the context of Bulgaria. SDS has not yet responded with a concrete description of the meetings, only with general denials.

The question that should be asked is not "did Zemon meet with somebody" - that's not illegal. The question is: what was the nature of those meetings, what positions were expressed, and is that aligned with or opposed to the stated goals of the party whose interests he supposedly works for. Without those answers, this is a question for political theater, not for political process.