SDSM

SDSM, short for the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (Macedonian: Социјалдемократски сојуз на Македонија), is a major political party in North Macedonia. It was founded in 1990 as the social-democratic successor to the League of Communists of Macedonia and adopted its current name in the early years of the country’s multi-party era. The party identifies with center-left, social-democratic principles and supports democratic governance, civil liberties, and market-oriented reforms.

The party’s platform emphasizes social welfare, rule of law, anti-corruption measures, and the protection of minority rights within a civic, multiethnic society. It has consistently advocated North Macedonia’s European Union integration and NATO membership, tying domestic reform to the country’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations. SDSM has participated in government in various coalitions since independence and has been the main rival to the VMRO-DPMNE in many elections.

Internationally, SDSM has been affiliated with the Socialist International and, more recently, with the Party of European Socialists, aligning with broader European social-democratic networks and policies. The party works to coordinate with other social-democratic parties in Europe on issues such as democracy, social protection, and economic modernization.

Notable leaders include Branko Crvenkovski, who served as prime minister in the 1990s, Vlado Buckovski, and Zoran Zaev, who led the party in the 2010s and served as prime minister. The party operates from its headquarters in Skopje and maintains a national organizational structure with regional and municipal branches, as well as a youth wing and other affiliated groups.