We are prepared to abide by the provisions stemming from the Electoral Code after accepting all SDSM demands to be included in it. I think that after the next elections, in which SDSM will be defeated, the party will understand that public opinion cannot be created in the final 20 to 40 days, it is being formed throughout the mandate.

This is the response of Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski to SDSM opposition leader Zoran Zaev after urging the Electoral Code to be fully respected, especially the provisions banning government official to take part in inaugurations of facilities or other completed projects funded by the state.

"I believe that after the next elections and their subsequent defeat, SDSM will finally understand that 20 or 40 days prior to elections are not decisive in a bid the citizens to form an opinion or gain trust in certain politicians or political parties," PM Gruevski told reporters on Sunday.

Hopefully, he added, this time SDSM will finally realize that the actions of a politician are evaluated throughout the tenure.

"People constantly follow our actions and the measures we are taking as well as the mistakes we make and ultimately they have formed an opinion. It is SDSM's delusion to believe that people form their opinion in the last 20 to 40 days prior to polls. A majority of citizens have been forming their opinion about certain politicians in a period of several years at least," the Premier stated.

Gruevski once again vowed that all Electoral Code provisions would be respected.