Skopje, 15 March 2025 (MIA) - Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski’s threats of protests against the judiciary is a message that he only recognizes the judiciary that he likes and wants neither a better judiciary nor an independent one, said SDSM leader Venko Filipche at a press conference Saturday, noting that real reforms in the judiciary are only possible through reforms, and not partisan pressure or threats.

Filipche’s statement comes after the Prime Minister has repeatedly said the members of the Judicial Council would face protests unless they resign following the motions of no-confidence adopted by Parliament against them.

“In a way, that statement is an oxymoron – they will use partisan protests to fight against the allegedly partisan judiciary. There is no greater proof than this that the end goal is partisation,” Filipche said. 

The opposition leader said calling for protests instead of implementing real reforms is “absurd” and an “unprecedented policy”.

“If such pressure on the overall judicial system happens and continues, the trust will drop from two percent to zero in the coming period,” Filipche said.

According to the SDSM leader, real change is only possible through real reforms instead of pressure or threats.

“Once again I urge the entire ruling coalition, VMRO-DPMNE, ZNAM and VLEN, to wise up and to launch the path of reforms,” Filipche said.

He stressed judiciary reforms have been drafted with representatives of the European Union and are included in the Reform Agenda and the Growth Plan drafted by SDSM’s Government and signed by Prime Minister Mickoski in Brussels.

“The Reform Agenca includes several laws in the judiciary, including legislation relating to the Prosecutor’s Office, the Judicial Council, the wages of judges and the processing of court cases, as well as a series of other things that should happen in order to establish order in the system and for it to start functioning in line with European norms and criteria,” Filipche said, urging the Government to stop exerting pressure on independent bodies. 

Photo: MIA Archive