Skopje, 6 September 2023 (MIA) – The amendments to the Criminal Code, apart from being a harmonization with the European law, are also an exclusive demand of the leader of VMRO-DPMNE, Hristijan Mickoski, said First Deputy Prime Minister Artan Grubi on Wednesday in answer to a journalist’s question.

“The Macedonian and Albanian opposition should align their positions, because the Macedonian opposition did not vote against the amendments to the Criminal Code, which are a harmonization with the European law, but stayed at the session, provided the quorum and adopted the agenda. The same is happening today too at the Committee on European Affairs,” said Deputy PM Grubi, when asked if the amendments are a result of a political deal with VMRO-DPMNE.

Grubi also responded to the Albanian opposition parties, which claimed that the amendments are paving the way for former Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski to return.

“It is an absolute lie, and it is absolutely impossible under any circumstances for Gruevski to return with these amendments to the Criminal Code. These amendments apart from being a harmonization with the European law, are also an exclusive demand of Mickoski and VMRO-DPMNE at all leaders’ meeting, and at the bilateral meetings regarding the amendments to the Criminal Code, and now they have a chance to fulfill it in Parliament. In fact, they already did that yesterday through their participation in Parliament,” said Grubi.

Photo: MIA