Skopje, 26 June 2024 (MIA) - According to a gentleman-like agreement in the ruling coalition, Izet Mexhiti will serve as the first deputy prime minister, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski has confirmed.

"Under the laws, the prime minister has deputies. According to a deal we struck within the coalition, there will be first deputy prime minister and Izet Mexhiti will be appointed. But, it is not according to the law. The law defines only the post of deputy prime ministers. It was illegal previously, this government will not work in that manner. However, we've come to a gentleman-like agreement within our coalition," Mickoski said speaking to members of the media at a groundbreaking ceremony for a school in Skopje's Drachevo village.

DUI's Artan Grubi served as first deputy prime minister in the SDSM-led government. The post was introduced in August 2020 in the Zoran Zaev government.

Asked to comment on announcements for equal representation as a substitute for the balancer, Mickoski said it was recommened that the balancer should be cancelled after the screening process with the EU. 

"It was part of the conclusions and the citizens should know this."

We, he noted, should find a solution allowing everyone to have equal rights and obligations before the law and the Constitution regardless of one's ethnic, religious and political affilication, sex and gender.

"Now, the citizens are in the focus of our policies, the time of nationalism and romantism, misused to rob the citizens in Macedonia, has passed," Mickoski said. 

MIA file photo